Get up early and have the fells to yourself. There will be far more wildlife around (I saw two roe deer, three red squirrel, pheasants and rabbits in the woods overlooking Bassenthwaite this morning) and no one on the tops. I was running with my dog for more than an hour, through the woods and up on to Lord's Seat and Barf, and met no one until I returned to the car park at Spout Force and some Americans asked the way to the waterfall. Set your alarm, the earlier the better.
Send your feedback or queries to been.there@guardian.co.uk
Search Been there