Stake Pass

The walk up to Stake Pass is one of those Lake District routes that rewards you properly if you're willing to graft for it. Starting from the valley floor near Ambleside, you climb steadily through Langdale - and I mean steadily. It's not technical scrambling, just relentless uphill slog that takes a good couple of hours to reach the pass itself at 430 metres.

What you get at the top is proper mountain air and views across to Borrowdale and the Helvellyn range. On a clear day it's striking. On a misty day, which is often, you're essentially walking through cloud - which some people love and others find a bit pointless.

This is firmly for walkers, not casual strollers. Children aged ten and up with decent fitness will manage it fine. Anyone expecting a leisurely amble should look elsewhere. The actual pass itself is just a col - there's no building or attraction at the summit, just a cairn and the satisfaction of having made the climb. If you're camped at Great Langdale Campsite or Great Langdale Glamping, it's a natural day out, and doing it from BaysBrown Farm Campsite would mean a longer drive first.

Allow a full day including descent. The route works best in summer and early autumn when the weather's more cooperative. Winter attempts need proper experience. It's free - this is the fells after all - and genuinely one of the better valley walks from Langdale if you've got the legs for it.