Highmore Hill

The walk up Highmore Hill near Kirkby Stephen takes less than an hour, which sounds promising until you realise the path is relentlessly steep and the weather can turn on you without warning. That said, once you're up there - and you will be slightly knackered - the Pennine views are genuinely impressive. You get proper 360-degree stuff: moorland rolling away in every direction, the Eden Valley below, and on clear days sight lines that stretch across three counties.

This is a peak for walkers rather than casual visitors. If you're staying at Gillcumber Glamping Pods nearby, it's an excellent half-day outing, especially if you've got older kids or teenagers who don't mind a bit of gradient. Younger children will find it monotonous going up, though the summit itself gives them something to aim for.

The terrain is moorland and fell - rough underfoot in places, so proper walking boots are worth the bother. Allow two hours total if you're not particularly fit, less if you know what you're doing. There's nothing to buy at the top, so bring water and a packed lunch if you want to sit and soak in the views properly.

Free to access, naturally. Best visited outside peak summer weekends when the path gets busy. Spring mornings and autumn afternoons give the clearest visibility, and the light on the surrounding fells is worth the early start. It won't take all day, but paired with exploring Kirkby Stephen itself or walking through the Eden Valley, it slots perfectly into a wider Pennines break.