Laughter Tor

The walk up Laughter Tor is short, steep, and genuinely rewarding. It's not dramatic like some Dartmoor peaks - more of a proper little hill with a rock outcrop at the top - but the views across the moor are worth the huffing and puffing. From Exeter, it's barely a stone's throw away, which makes it ideal for an afternoon when you can't commit to a full day out.

You'll find bracken and gorse on the approach, and the path gets a bit boggy depending on the weather. Allow forty minutes up and down if you're moving steadily, less if you're fit. The summit itself is modest but the exposed rocks give you something to scramble over, and kids seem to enjoy that aspect more than yet another gentle moorland ramble. The views aren't the sort that make you gasp - they're more quietly satisfying, rolling moorland stretching away with distant hills.

It works brilliantly as a warm-up walk if you're staying near Dartmoor National Park and want to test your legs before tackling longer routes. Walkers of all abilities will manage it without too much trouble. The bigger question is whether it's worth the drive from Exeter town centre when you could knock off a half-dozen Dartmoor peaks in the same time. That depends on your energy levels and whether you're after a quick blast of fresh air or a proper expedition. Either way, it's free and requires no advance planning.