Stony Cove Pike

The walk up Stony Cove Pike rewards you with something rare in the Lake District - proper solitude. Unlike the overcrowded fells around Keswick, this 659-metre peak near Penrith attracts far fewer hikers, which means you'll likely have the summit to yourself on a weekday.

It's not a dramatic mountain. The view from the top opens out across Ullswater and the surrounding fells - solid rather than spectacular, but worth the effort. The ascent takes roughly two hours from the car park, following a straightforward path that climbs steadily without being brutal. The ground can be boggy in places after rain, so proper boots matter here.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's too straightforward for serious hillwalkers after a challenge, but ideal if you want a proper fell walk without the tourist crush. Families with older kids who can manage two hours of steady climbing will do fine; younger ones might find it tedious.

Start early to catch the light on Ullswater, and allow three hours return if you're not pushing hard. There's no entrance fee - it's a public fell. If you're camping nearby at Lakeside Retreat Glamping or Sykeside, this makes a cracking morning out before heading to the lakes proper. The nearest proper facilities are back in Penrith, so bring water and a packed lunch. Come in autumn when the light turns golden and the paths are drier.