Mam Tor

The walk up Mam Tor is steep, relentless, and absolutely worth every breath. At 517 metres, it's the highest point in the Hope Valley, and on a clear day the views stretch across the Peak District in all directions - you can see for miles across moorland and limestone cliffs that just keep rolling away. The path is well-trodden, starting from the car park near Castleton, and takes about 45 minutes to an hour to reach the summit. The final push gets properly steep, but the payoff is genuine.

This is one for walkers rather than casual strollers. The peak itself is bare and windswept - bring a jacket because the weather changes fast up there. Families with decent hikers will manage fine, though younger legs might find it hard work. There's a trig point at the top and the remnants of an iron age hill fort, which adds a bit of historical texture to what's primarily a views-and-legs kind of outing.

If you're based at one of the nearby campsites - Castleton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite is barely a mile away, or Derbyshire Hills Campsite if you fancy a bit more space - this makes a proper day out. Pair it with a poke around Castleton village itself for caves and tea shops, and you've got a solid morning or afternoon sorted. Free to walk, accessible year-round, though muddy stretches appear after rain.