Head to the mountains

The fourth highest mountain in England and the backdrop to Keswick, with a clear stony path all the way up from the Moot Hall.

The most-walked fell above Derwentwater and the only one you can reach by launch. Three and a half miles, and Mrs Tiggy-Winkle’s hillside on the far side.

Keswick’s own fell — three miles from the Moot Hall and back, with the whole town laid out below. A limited mobility path reaches the viewpoint from Gale Road.

Craggy ridges falling steeply to Threlkeld on one side and gentle grass on the other — Sharp Edge and Halls Fell, or Scales Fell without the scrambling.

The highest mountain in England, from Seathwaite at the head of Borrowdale. Rocky, boulder-strewn and unforgiving if the weather turns.

Striding Edge and the crowds on the eastern side; from Thirlmere a steady grassy climb with no scrambling and a bus to the foot of it.

Lowly beside its neighbours at just under 600 metres, which is rather the point — and the fell he chose to be left on.

Seven volumes, 214 fells, the Completers Register — and the Northern Fells, the ones nearest Keswick, listed by height.

Outstanding views over Derwentwater to the fells beyond, then down to Ashness Bridge and back to Keswick along the lakeshore. 1,480 feet of ascent.

Three Wainwright summits before dropping down to Ashness Bridge. Best after dry weather — the section between Bleaberry Fell and High Seat is extremely boggy.

Modest at 455 metres, but with excellent views the whole way round from the summit — a great reward for not much effort. From Braithwaite village shop.

From Braithwaite over both summits, then down to Force Crag — the last working mine in the Lake District until it closed in 1990 — and a gentle descent down the Coledale valley.

A classic Lakeland horseshoe, taking the skyline summits in one round. Coledale is a textbook U-shaped valley with no habitation in it, which gives the ridges a properly wild feel. Not to be undertaken lightly.

The skyline crest above Newlands — Catbells, Maiden Moor and High Spy, then west over the remoter summits of Dale Head and Robinson.

The long undulating ridge on the western side of Borrowdale, with three peaks each of a distinct profile. The drops between them are small; the walk along the crest is magnificent.

Starting from Whinlatter visitor centre gives you a leg up to both summits for relatively little effort, and the mix of forest track and open fell makes for a varied walk.

One of the lesser known fells, in a quiet area above Wythop eight miles from Keswick. Two routes — one to the summit, one round it — and neither strenuous, so both suit families.

A modest 357 metres and only high beside the nearby Low Rigg. An undulating ridge with fine views of the Helvellyn and Skiddaw ranges and into Thirlmere and St John’s in the Vale.

Up into the Rannerdale valley, round the base, then up the short but steep Knotts and along the ridge with lovely views towards Buttermere. Best in the second week of May, for the bluebells.

Two hours of solid ascent on engineered paths, avoiding the scrambling of Striding Edge and Swirral Edge on the eastern side. Up and back the same way, or on over Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon.