Hard Turf Hill

The walk up Hard Turf Hill isn't long, but it's steep enough to make your legs remind you why you came. The summit sits above Settle, commanding views across the Ribble Valley that stretch for miles on a clear day - proper Yorkshire moorland rolling in every direction. On a dull afternoon I managed maybe five miles visibility; come back in winter sunshine and you'll see three times that.

It's a straightforward fell walk, nothing technical, which makes it ideal for families with older kids or anyone after a brisk hour's exercise without the scrambling. The path is well-trodden and obvious from Settle itself. Allow ninety minutes return from town if you're not rushing, though fit walkers will crack it in less.

This works brilliantly as part of a longer valley day - Pen-y-ghent and Whernside loom nearby as the other peaks in the Three Peaks circuit, though Hard Turf stands alone perfectly well. If you're camped at Philpin Farm or enjoying the luxury pods at Ribblesdale, both within striking distance, you've got an accessible walk that doesn't demand a full day's commitment. Weather matters here - come on a foggy day and you'll see precisely nothing but moorland grass at your feet. The views are the whole point, so pick your moment.