Height of Hazely

The walk up to Height of Hazely rewards you with one of those rare views that actually justifies the effort. It's a proper fell top in the Yorkshire Dales above Leyburn, and on a clear day you can see all the way across Wensleydale with the surrounding hills rolling out like a quilt in every direction.

The climb itself isn't technical or dangerous, but it's steep enough that you'll feel it in your legs. Most people manage it in under an hour from the car park, though you'll want to factor in time for stopping and staring. The summit's exposed, so wind can bite here even when it's calm lower down - bring a windproof. The vegetation is moorland scrub and grass, nothing fancy, but that's rather the point. It's honest, wild fell, not prettified.

History types and serious walkers will get the most from this. Families with younger kids might find it a bit of a slog for what's essentially a wide-open moorland top with no facilities or shelter. But if you're staying at Yorkshire Dales Holiday Park near Leyburn, it makes a cracking half-day outing. The park sits just down the valley, so you're looking at a quick drive to the trailhead.

Do it early in the day if you can. The fell attracts enough visitors on weekends that solitude becomes scarce by afternoon, and frankly, the views are sharper in morning light anyway.