South Top

The walk up South Top from Great Langdale feels properly rewarding without being a slog. You're looking at a steady climb through open fell that gives you views across to the Langdale Pikes - that dramatic pyramid shape that dominates the valley - and back down to Ambleside in the distance. The summit itself isn't dramatic, but the 360-degree perspective is exactly what you want from a Lakeland peak.

It's a solid choice for walkers who aren't after a full day's expedition. Two to three hours round trip, depending on your pace and whether you stop for views (you should). The path is well-trodden and marked, though it gets boggy in wet weather - not uncommon in Cumbria. Families with teenagers and decent walkers will manage it fine. Younger kids might find the unrelenting gradient a bit much.

What makes this work is how it fits into a Langdale holiday. Camp at Great Langdale Campsite or grab a glamping spot at Great Langdale Glamping, and you've got this walk practically on your doorstep. Even BaysBrown Farm Campsite is close enough. You could knock it out before breakfast and still have the afternoon for mucking about at the campsite or exploring Ambleside's shops and cafes. It's not the most famous peak in the lakes, but that's partly the point - you won't be queuing.