High Willhays

The walk up High Willhays from Okehampton won't win any prizes for scenic drama, but it's genuinely satisfying once you're on the slopes. At 2,038 metres, this is the highest point on Dartmoor and the views from the top stretch for miles across the moorland - on a clear day you can see Exmoor and the coast if you're lucky. The summit itself is bare, windswept and honestly a bit anticlimactic when you get there, which is why plenty of people skip it and head straight to Yes Tor, the companion peak just next door that feels more rewarding. The moorland is open and exposed, so weather dictates everything. Come in mist and you'll see nothing but bog and disappointment. Come in sunshine and it's rather lovely - great for walkers wanting a proper Dartmoor challenge without needing special skills or equipment. Most people allow two to three hours for the round trip from the car park, depending on fitness and how far you want to roam. There's no charge and access is free across the moor, though parking arrangements vary seasonally. If you're based at Lydford Caravan & Camping Park just down the road, this makes a solid morning or afternoon outing. The moorland rewards wanderers more than peak-baggers, so take time to look around rather than just tick the summit box.