Red Crag

Getting to the top of Red Crag rewards you with proper views across the Eden Valley and towards the Lake District fells - on a clear day you can see for miles. It's a fell, not a mountain, so don't expect drama, but the walk itself is straightforward enough and takes about two hours from Penrith direction.

The crag itself is what draws people: red sandstone cliffs that look genuinely striking when the light hits them right, especially in late afternoon. Walkers get the most from this one. Families with older kids will manage fine, though younger legs might find the steady climb tedious. Solitary types love it because you won't fight crowds like you would on some of the bigger peaks nearby.

There's no visitor centre or facilities at the top, so bring water and snacks. It's free to walk on, as with most fell access in the Lakes. Allow a good three hours if you're not moving fast, or two if you know what you're doing. Spring and autumn are best - winter can be muddy and exposed, summer gets warm on the climb.

If you're camping at Sykeside or Crossgate Luxury Glamping just outside Penrith, Red Crag works as a morning or afternoon walk without needing to drive far. It's close enough to slot into a broader Lakes trip without overshadowing bigger days out at Ullswater Holiday Park, but far enough away to feel like proper walking country rather than tourist trail.