Long Hill

The walk up Long Hill, just outside Skipton, isn't particularly dramatic - it's more steady slog than scramble - but what you get at the top makes the effort worthwhile. The view rolls across the Yorkshire Dales in proper fashion, with the Wharfe valley spreading out below and moorland stretching toward Pen-y-ghent on a clear day. It's the sort of place where you can actually see where you've come from, which sounds simple but matters more than you'd think.

For walkers, this is ideal ground. The path is well-trodden without being crowded, and it's the kind of peak that doesn't demand technical skills or scrambling - families with older kids manage it fine, though younger ones might find the ascent tedious. Allow two hours there and back if you're taking it easy; faster hikers will do it in ninety minutes. The real pull is how it slots into a broader Dales circuit. If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Howgill Lodge, Wharfedale, or Wood Nook are all within easy reach - Long Hill works as a morning outing before exploring Skipton's market town or heading further into the Dales.

Go in autumn when the light's lower and the moors take on that golden sheen, or spring when everything's green and eager. Summer weekends bring more people, but it never feels rammed. Weather matters here - rain turns it into a muddy trudge - so check the forecast first.