Fountains Fell

Fountains Fell rises 2,191 feet above the Ribble Valley near Settle, and on a clear day the walk up rewards you with views that stretch across three counties. It's not the dramatic peak you might expect - more of a steady climb through moorland, with the fell itself rather rounded at the top - but the landscape you pass through on the way up is genuinely worth the effort.

The summit offers genuine panoramic views across the Yorkshire Three Peaks and down into Ribblesdale. On a good day you can see across to Pen-y-ghent and Whernside. The walk typically takes three to four hours return from Settle, depending on your pace and how much time you spend at the top just standing about taking it all in.

Walkers will get the most from this - it's a proper fell walk, not a gentle stroll. Families with older children can manage it fine if they're used to hills, though younger kids might find the moorland stretches a bit relentless. The terrain is straightforward enough: moorland paths, no technical scrambling, though it can get boggy in wet weather.

Timing-wise, spring through autumn is best. Winter can be grim if the weather turns. There's no charge to walk it, and Settle itself has cafes and pubs for post-walk recovery.

If you're based at Ribblesdale Pods nearby, this fits perfectly into a wider Three Peaks trip. It's less crowded than Pen-y-ghent or Whernside, which means you actually get to enjoy the views without queuing.