High Pike Hill

The walk up High Pike Hill from Kirkby Stephen takes you through proper Pennine moorland - the kind of landscape that makes you remember why you came to Cumbria in the first place. It's not a mountain in the Alpine sense, but at 658 metres it commands genuine views across the Eden Valley and into the Lake District beyond when the weather plays ball.

The ascent is moderate and doable for most walkers in an afternoon. You'll pass through open moorland dotted with grouse and curlew, and the path is generally well-defined, though it can get boggy in places. Count on around two hours up and back down, depending on fitness. The views from the top aren't dramatic - there's no sudden revelation moment - but there's something satisfying about standing up there looking across the Pennines to the west and the flatter country spreading east towards the Dales.

This works well if you're basing yourself at Gillcumber Glamping Pods, just a few miles away. It's the sort of walk that fills a morning without dominating your whole day. Families with older kids will manage it fine. The exposure isn't significant, so there's nothing vertiginous to worry about. Spring and autumn are best - summer can be boggy, winter needs proper kit. The nearest settlement is Kirkby Stephen, which has basic facilities and a helpful tourist office if you need advice on route variations.