High Crag Ridge

The walk up High Crag Ridge from near Harrogate rewards you with a proper fell-top experience without needing a full day's commitment. It's a genuine ridge walk with proper exposure - nothing scary, but enough to feel like actual mountains rather than a stroll through parkland. The views back towards Harrogate and across to Nidderdale are worth the leg work, especially on a clear day when you can see well beyond the immediate moorland.

This one's for walkers who've got their boots broken in. The terrain is rough underfoot with plenty of rock, and you'll want to pick your weather carefully - it can get bog-standard moorland windy up there. Allow two to three hours for a decent circuit, depending on your pace and how many times you stop to catch your breath or admire the vista. The nearest proper parking is around the approaches from the north, though I won't pretend it's immediately obvious on first visit.

Families with young kids might find the toughness of the ground tiresome, but teenagers who enjoy hiking will get on well enough. History buffs won't find much except the landscape itself - this is about the physical challenge and the views, full stop.

If you're camping at Breaks Fold Farm Glamping just down the road, High Crag makes a proper morning objective before heading back for lunch. Windmill Retreats sits close enough too. Both spots position you well for tackling some of Yorkshire's better ridge walks without spending your entire holiday driving.