How Hill

How Hill rises above the market town of Leyburn with the kind of straight-forward appeal that makes it a proper local favourite. It's not dramatically high - more of a solid escarpment than a mountain - but the walk up takes you through proper Dales country with views that open out across Wensleydale the higher you climb.

The summit gives you that satisfying 360-degree perspective of the valley below, with Leyburn itself shrinking into the landscape. On a clear day you can see for miles across the patchwork of fields and stone walls that define the Yorkshire Dales. The actual peak itself is fairly modest - no dramatic monuments or viewpoint structures - but that's rather the point. It's accessible without fuss.

This is walker territory first and foremost. Families with energetic children will manage the ascent without drama; younger kids might find it a bit of a slog depending on fitness levels. Allow 45 minutes to an hour return trip from town, depending on your pace and whether you're stopping to catch your breath and look around. It's the kind of walk you do on a bright morning before heading down to Leyburn for lunch.

If you're staying at one of the holiday parks nearby - Yorkshire Dales Holiday Park sits just outside town - How Hill makes an easy half-morning excursion. Free to access, completely straightforward, and it answers that constant question: what's worth the walk today? This one is. The views justify the effort.