Great Hill

The walk up Great Hill rewards you with one of those Devon views that makes you understand why people move here and never leave. It's a proper climb - nothing technical, but steep enough that you'll feel it in your legs by the top - and the summit delivers on the effort. On a clear day you get the whole sweep of the coastline, Tor Bay spread out below like something from a postcard, and if you're lucky the Torbay skyline snapping into focus across the water.

This is straightforward fell-walking territory. No scrambling, no ropes, just a solid path that gets your heart rate up and your boots muddy. Most people manage it in under an hour from the car park, though you'll want to linger at the top for a bit. The views are the whole point here - there's no summit cafe or monument, just you, the wind, and Devon at your feet.

Walkers will get the most out of it, particularly those who like a brisk climb with a payoff. It's not the place for a leisurely amble. Families with older kids will cope fine; younger ones might find the ascent a slog unless they're keen. Early morning is worth the effort - fewer people and cleaner light for photographs.

Stay at Parkdean Resorts Torquay Holiday Park just down the road - less than a mile away - and Great Hill becomes a perfect morning walk before breakfast. The proximity means you can knock it out before the summer crowds arrive. Combined with coastal walks around Torquay itself, it fits well into a proper week's exploring this corner of Devon.