Hare Shaw

The walk up Hare Shaw is over almost before it starts - you're looking at roughly 20 minutes from the car park near Penrith if you move at a decent pace. It's a proper fell rather than a peak that demands serious effort, which makes it ideal for families who want a quick win without the slog of something like Helvellyn. The summit gives you straightforward views across the Eden Valley, all soft agricultural land rather than dramatic crags, and on a clear day you can see across to the Lake District fells rising in the distance. Not a showstopper then, but honest and unpretentious. You'll likely have the place to yourself most days, which beats queuing at the honey pot attractions. The fell itself is open access so free to wander, though the terrain can be boggy in sections so proper boots matter. Spring and autumn are nicest - less mud, better light, and fewer midges. Hare Shaw works particularly well as a morning outing if you're based at Crossgate Luxury Glamping or Sykeside Camping Park. It leaves your afternoon free for something else - the Eden Valley has decent cycling routes and the market town of Penrith itself is worth a browse for lunch. Most walkers allow an hour total including a breather at the top. It won't blow your mind, but it's a proper little fell walk that doesn't demand a full day commitment. Bring a packed lunch and you've got a solid morning sorted.