Manga Hill

The walk up Manga Hill rewards you with views across Dartmoor that feel properly expansive - the kind where you can see for miles if the weather's on your side. It's a modest peak by moorland standards, nothing that'll have your legs screaming, but the climb's steep enough to feel like you've earned the view once you reach the top.

The summit itself is bare and windswept, which is exactly what you want. On a clear day you're looking out towards the heart of Dartmoor, all rolling tors and open moorland stretching away. The walk up takes maybe 45 minutes from the car park, depending on your pace and how many times you stop to catch your breath.

This is walker territory, really. History buffs might find it interesting given its location on the edge of Dartmoor, but you're not coming for ruins or stone circles - you're coming for the leg stretch and the view. Families with younger kids might find it a bit of a slog unless they're keen hikers already. The ground can be boggy after rain, so decent boots matter.

Exeter's your nearest town, just a few miles away, which makes this easy to slot into a wider Dartmoor trip. If you're staying at one of the parks nearby - Dartmoor National Park itself is only 5.4 miles away - Manga Hill works as a half-day walk without needing to venture far. Free to visit, no facilities up top, so bring water and a packed lunch if you're planning to linger.