Wandope

Wandope sits at 1,945 metres on the northern edge of the Lake District, a proper fell rather than a showstopper summit. You won't get crowds here, and that's precisely why it's worth the slog from Cockermouth direction.

The ascent is steady rather than brutal - most folk tackle it from the Coledale Horseshoe route or via Grisedale Pike's ridge. The views reward the effort without being quite as dramatic as you'd get from Catbells or Skiddaw. On a clear day you're looking across to the northern fells with the Solway Firth glinting beyond. In mist, which it often is, you're largely counting on faith and a map.

This works best for hill walkers with proper boots and experience reading contours. Day-trippers expecting a quick jaunt will find the wind and exposure less forgiving than expected. There's nothing at the summit - no café, no shelter, just the marker. Allow three to four hours for the round trip depending on your route.

Stay at Whinfell Hall Farm Campsite, just 4.2 miles away near Cockermouth, and you're perfectly placed for this and the wider Coledale circuit. Keswick Camping and Caravanning Club sits 4.9 miles out if you want to base yourself closer to the town proper. The fell pairs nicely with gentler walks around nearby lower peaks - it's not a destination in itself, but part of a proper Lake District walking week.