Brandrith Howe

The walk up Brandrith Howe from Ripon is modest by fell standards, but that's rather the point. This isn't some bruising moorland slog - it's a proper afternoon's work that rewards you with genuine Yorkshire views without requiring fell-running experience or expensive kit.

The summit itself sits around 800 feet, which means you get decent vistas across the Harrogate area without the ankle-destroying scrambles you'd find further north. On a clear day you can see right across to the distant Pennines. The path is well-trodden and straightforward, though it can get boggy after rain, so decent boots matter.

This works brilliantly if you're based at one of the local holiday parks - Woodhouse Farm or Sleningford Watermill are both close enough for an easy morning departure. Families with reasonably fit kids (say, eight and up) will manage it without complaints, though younger ones might flag on the way down. The whole thing takes two to three hours if you're not rushing, including a proper summit pause.

It's not dramatic or famous, which is exactly why it's worth doing. No crowds, no visitor centre nonsense, just the genuine experience of walking up a Yorkshire hill and earning your view. Allow a couple of hours, bring water, and go early if you're visiting in summer - the car park near the base fills up by late morning.