Hopegill Head

Hopegill Head sits at 1,870 feet in the northern Lakes, a proper fell rather than a showy peak - the sort that rewards you quietly rather than screaming for attention. From Cockermouth, it's an easy drive to the Whinlatter Pass area, where you'll find the trailhead and the real work begins. The climb is steady, nothing technical, but it takes a couple of hours each way depending on your pace and the path you choose. What makes it worth the effort is the isolation. You won't find crowds here the way you do on Catbells or Skiddaw, and the views back towards Bassenthwaite Lake and across to the Scottish hills are genuinely fine without being picture-postcard obvious. Walkers with decent fitness will get the most from this one - it's not a stroll, but it's not a slog either. The descent can be a bit tough on the knees, so bring proper boots and don't underestimate the weather; it can turn grim quickly up there. There's no visitor centre, no facilities at the summit, no café waiting at the top. What you get is the walk itself and the landscape. Come in clear weather and you'll see why fell walkers love the quieter corners of the Lake District. If you're camped at Whinfell Hall Farm - just three miles away - you've got yourself a cracking day out without needing to travel far. Summer is the obvious choice, but late spring and early autumn work well too.