Hespeck Raise

The walk up Hespeck Raise from the Carlisle side doesn't announce itself as anything special, but that's rather the point. It's a proper fell in the quieter corners of Cumbria, the sort of place where you won't queue for a selfie at the summit. The views from the top sweep across open moorland toward the Lake District fells - decent rather than dramatic, and all the better for it.

This is a straightforward upland walk, nothing technical, but it demands proper boots and an eye on the weather. The exposure isn't severe, but the wind finds you up there. Allow two to three hours for the round trip from the nearest car access, depending on your pace and how often you stop to look around. Walkers after a solitary morning without crowds will absolutely get their money's worth here. Families with younger legs might find it a bit of a slog for the payoff - save this one for teenagers who don't complain about gradient.

If you're camping at one of the farms nearby - Drybeck Farm or High Hall Farm are both under five miles away - Hespeck Raise makes a proper half-day expedition without the bother of driving into the Lakes proper. It's the kind of walk that clears your head. No facilities on the fell itself, so pack water and something to eat. The actual summit is marked clearly enough, though mist rolls in quickly on this ridge, so navigation isn't guesswork - carry a map.