Little Kneeset

The walk up Little Kneeset rewards you with views across Dartmoor that make the climb entirely worthwhile. It's a proper moorland peak - nothing fancy, just honest granite and heather underfoot, with Okehampton sitting down in the valley below.

This isn't a tourist trap. Most people doing the Dartmoor circuit miss it altogether, which means you'll likely have the summit to yourself. The ascent takes about thirty minutes from the nearest carpark, depending on your fitness and how much you stop to catch your breath. Bring decent boots - the paths get boggy after rain, and there's no avoiding wet feet if you're unlucky with the weather.

Walkers and serious Dartmoor enthusiasts will get the most from it. Families with young children might find it a bit of a slog without the payoff of a café or visitor centre at the top. That said, if your kids are hill-trained, they'll love the independence of being able to see for miles once they reach the summit.

There's no admission charge - it's open moorland. The best time is late spring through early autumn, when the weather's more cooperative and the heather's blooming. Winter visits are possible but muddy.

If you're staying at Lydford Caravan & Camping Park, Little Kneeset fits perfectly into a day's Dartmoor exploration. It's far enough from the honeypot sites around Dartmoor National Park itself to feel genuinely remote, yet close enough to base yourself nearby and make it a morning mission.