Whernside

At 2,415 metres, Whernside is the highest of the Three Peaks and commands proper respect. The main route from Chapel-le-Dale is a punishing four-hour round trip that rewards you with views across Lancashire and into the Lake District on a clear day. The final push to the summit is relentless - steep, rocky, and occasionally boggy underfoot. You won't forget those last hundred metres.

Serious hikers will love this. It's not a casual stroll, and families with young children should think twice unless they're already fell-walking veterans. The terrain is rough throughout, though the path itself is well-trodden and straightforward to follow. Allow a full morning or afternoon, bring proper boots, and check the weather forecast - cloud cover kills the views entirely.

The journey from Carnforth takes about 30 minutes, so it's manageable as a day outing. If you're staying at Philpin Farm Campsite nearby, you're ideally placed to tackle this without the early start faff. The campsite sits just a couple of miles away, making it a solid base for Three Peaks work.

Free to climb, naturally. The real cost is in your legs. It's one of those walks where the effort and the view form an honest bargain - no shortcuts, no pretence. That's rather the point.