Cat Crags

The walk up to Cat Crags from near Grange-over-Sands takes you through proper woodland, the kind where the canopy closes overhead and you lose track of time. It's not a long haul - most people manage it in under an hour - but the forest itself is the main draw here rather than any dramatic summit views.

You're walking through mixed woodland, mostly ash and oak, with the path winding uphill gradually enough that it doesn't feel punishing. The rocks give the place its name, though they're scattered rather than forming any spectacular outcrop. What makes it worth the detour is the sense of being genuinely away from things. The forest feels older than it probably is, with plenty of moss and ferns doing their thing on the woodland floor.

This works best for people who actually like forests - walkers after some quiet green space rather than Instagram moments. Kids will get on with it fine if they're the exploring type, though there's no playground payoff at the end. Families staying at Haven Lakeland Leisure Park - a 20-minute drive away - could do worse for a morning's activity.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so come prepared with water. The path is manageable year-round, though winter can be muddy. Free to access, and best tackled on a weekday when you won't be fighting for space on the trail. Allow a couple of hours if you're not rushing, and bring proper shoes.