Hunger Hill

Sharp winds hit you first, then the view opens up across Wharfedale like someone's drawn back a curtain. Hunger Hill rises just south of Ilkley, offering one of those proper Yorkshire moorland walks that rewards your effort with sweeping panoramas over the Dales. The climb's steady rather than brutal - about an hour from the town centre if you're reasonably fit.

Walkers and fell runners will love this one. Families with older kids who don't mind a proper hike will find it well worth the effort, though it's not pushchair territory by any stretch. The path can get boggy after rain, so decent boots are essential.

From the summit, you can trace the River Wharfe snaking through the valley below, with the distinctive outline of the Cow and Calf rocks visible on Ilkley Moor to the north. On clear days, the views stretch right across to Pen-y-ghent in the distance.

This makes a cracking day out if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Bolton Abbey Estate or Olicana Park. The hill's free to roam, naturally, and you can easily combine it with a wander through Ilkley's Victorian streets or a visit to the famous moor. Allow half a day including the return journey.