Great Crag

The walk up Great Crag kicks off from near Keswick and rewards you with proper fell views across the Lake District. It's not a monster peak - more of a solid afternoon outing than an all-day expedition - but the vantage point over Derwentwater and the surrounding fells makes the climb worthwhile. From the summit you get that brilliant sense of height without the slog of some of the bigger mountains in the range.

Walkers will find it genuinely satisfying. The path is clear enough, though it's steep in sections and the final approach demands a bit of scrambling. With kids, check they're comfortable on rough ground before committing. History types won't find anything to grab onto - this is pure fell walking, no ruins or ancient settlements to tick off. That said, the views alone tell the story of how the glaciers carved this landscape.

Allow a solid three to four hours for the round trip from the trailhead, depending on your pace and how long you linger on top. The best light is mid-morning through early afternoon. Get there early in summer weekends - the car park fills quickly. It's free to walk, naturally.

From Castlerigg Hall or any of the other parks around Keswick, you're minutes away. Pair it with Catbells across the water for a proper Lake District hiking weekend, or use it as a leg-stretcher between longer explorations of Great Langdale. The proximity to decent campsites makes it an easy add-on to a longer stay.