Gelstone Hill

The walk up Gelstone Hill from Kendal takes about an hour if you're moving at a steady clip, and it's worth every step. You're looking at proper fell country here - proper meaning it gets steep and the ground's unforgiving - but nothing that'll have you scrambling or needing ropes. The summit reward is a 360-degree view across the Lake District's eastern side, and on a clear day you can pick out Windermere and the farther peaks beyond.

It's the kind of walk that suits families with older kids and anyone after a solid workout without the full-on expedition faff. You'll want decent boots because the descent gets loose in places, and water because there's not much shelter up there when the wind picks up. Give yourself three to four hours door-to-door if you're stopping to eat a sandwich and stare about.

What makes Gelstone worth the detour rather than climbing one of the bigger names around Kendal is exactly that - it's not crowded. You won't be queuing for views or sharing the summit with thirty other hikers taking the same Instagram shot. The hills roll away in front of you without fanfare, which somehow makes them feel more real.

If you're based at Two Acre Glamping Pods just outside Kendal, this is a natural morning activity before coffee and a proper cooked breakfast back at base. It's free, obviously - it's a fell. No facilities, no café, no fiddling about with car parks.