Skelgill Bank

The climb up Skelgill Bank from Keswick is steep, relentless, and absolutely worth the sweat if you're after proper fell scenery without the crowds. It's a fell walker's shortcut rather than a tourist trap - a grassy ascent that gains height quickly and deposits you on higher ground with views across the Lake District that justify every burning calf muscle.

This isn't a destination where you'll spend hours. Allow ninety minutes up and an hour down, depending on fitness. The path is straightforward but unforgiving, especially in wet weather when the grass gets slick. Walkers who enjoy a direct, no-nonsense hill will love it. Families with young children might find the gradient tedious without rewards at the top - there's no summit building, café, or dramatic viewpoint, just open fell.

What makes Skelgill worth doing is its efficiency. From Keswick Camping and Caravanning Club or Castlerigg Hall just down the road, you can be on the hill within minutes. It connects well to longer Lake District walks if you want to string a bigger day together. Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid bumping into the main tourist crowd heading for more famous peaks.

The views work best in decent weather. Clag rolls in fast here, and there's nothing much to see through cloud but grass and frustration. Clear day though, and you're looking at proper fell terrain - worth the effort from your caravan base near Keswick.