Bannerdale Crags (summit)

Sharp, angular ridges jut skyward from the eastern fells like a medieval fortress wall - this is what makes Bannerdale Crags such a proper fell walker's prize. The summit sits at a respectable height above the valley floor, offering sweeping views across to Helvellyn and the central fells that'll have you reaching for your camera. Most walkers approach from the Matterdale end, though the ascent from Bannerdale itself is more direct if you don't mind a steeper climb.

Serious hikers will find this one rewarding - it's not a gentle family stroll by any stretch. The rocky outcrops near the top require a bit of scrambling, though nothing too technical for anyone with decent boots and a head for heights. Kids who are confident on rough terrain might manage it, but you'd want them to be proper fell walkers rather than casual day-trippers.

From Keswick, it's a decent drive to reach the starting points, making it worth combining with other eastern fells if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Castlerigg Hall or Threlkeld Hall. Allow a full morning or afternoon - the views from the summit are worth lingering over, particularly on a clear day when you can pick out the distant peaks of the northern fells stretching toward Scotland.