Knipe Scar

The walk up Knipe Scar from Penrith isn't long, but it's steep enough to catch you out if you're not paying attention. You're looking at a proper fell rather than a gentle hillside - the kind of place where you feel like you've earned the view before you've even reached the top.

Once you're up there, the Lake District spreads out in front of you in a way that makes the huffing and puffing worthwhile. You get Ullswater clearly, the Helvellyn range across the way, and on a decent day the visibility stretches far enough that you can pick out Penrith itself below. The moorland around the summit is open and windswept, so bring a jacket even in summer.

This is a walk for anyone who fancies a bit of leg work without committing to a full day on the fells. Families with older kids will manage it fine - the path is clear enough - though younger ones might find the steepness a slog. History buffs won't find much to chew on here; it's pure landscape. Allow two hours return from the car park near Penrith.

If you're staying at one of the holiday parks nearby - Ullswater Holiday Park is closest, about six miles away - Knipe Scar makes a decent morning outing before heading elsewhere. It's not the most dramatic peak in Cumbria, but it's accessible, and the effort-to-reward ratio is spot on for a half-day walk.