Tarn Crags Top

The walk up Tarn Crags Top from Wigton direction is a proper fell scramble, not a casual stroll. You're looking at a decent push through open moorland to reach what's a genuine mountain top rather than a tame hill - the kind of summit where you actually feel like you've earned the view. The fell itself is fairly raw and windswept, with rocky outcrops near the top that require a bit of scrambling if you want to bag the highest point. On a clear day the vista across the Lake District fells is solid; on a grey day (which is frequent round here) you'll mostly see the next ridge over and the heather at your feet.

This one's for walkers with proper legs and boots. If you're after a gentle park stroll with the kids, look elsewhere. Parents with teenagers who enjoy a bit of exposure and scrambling will find it rewarding though. The fell doesn't attract the crowds you get on popular peaks - it's refreshingly quiet.

Allow three to four hours for the round trip depending on fitness. There's no charge, and no visitor facilities on the fell itself, so bring water and a packed lunch. Early morning visits beat the afternoon weather systems that roll in from the west. If you're based at one of the nearby parks like Carrock Glamping Pods or Caldbeck Camping, this makes a proper day out. It's not far from Wigton but feels genuinely remote once you're up there. Worth the effort if you like solitude over scenery for its own sake.