Knott Hill

The walk up Knott Hill from Greenfield is proper rewarding, especially if you're after something quick without the crowds. It's not a massive peak - nothing that'll have you gasping for breath for hours - but the views across the Saddleworth moor are genuinely good, particularly when the light's right in the late afternoon.

You get moorland walking at its best here: rolling ridges, that particular Lancashire brown-gold grass, and on a clear day you can pick out the industrial valley below and the Pennines stretching off into the distance. The ascent is steady rather than brutal, so it suits families with reasonably fit kids and walkers who want exercise without commitment. Allow 90 minutes there and back, maybe longer if you're dawdling.

If you're staying at Dovestone Holiday Park just down the road - and it's a cracking spot, only 3 miles away - this is the obvious choice for a morning or early evening excursion. Shay Gate Farm Campsite and Deerstone Glamping are both within six miles, so none of these bases are far off.

Go on a weekday if possible. Weekends can get a bit busy, though never unpleasantly so. Weather matters more than most hills - thick mist and you'll see nothing, so check conditions before setting out. The moorland can be boggy after rain, so decent boots are worth it. Free to access, obviously. No facilities at the summit, so bring water and something to eat.