Middle Hare Head

The walk up Middle Hare Head isn't long, but it's steep enough that you'll feel your legs by the summit. This moorland peak sits just northwest of Skipton, rising to 430 metres and offering proper views across the Yorkshire Dales when the weather plays ball.

It's one of those hills that rewards the effort without demanding mountaineering skills. The terrain is open moorland - heather and grass underfoot - and on a clear day you can see right across the valley. The summit itself is unremarkable, just high ground, but that's rather the point. You come for the vantage point, not some cairn or trig pillar.

Walkers and fell runners get the most from this one. It's not a casual stroll, but it's not a full day's expedition either - allow 90 minutes to two hours depending on fitness. Families with decent boots and some hill experience will manage it fine; younger children might find the gradient tedious. The real draw is stringing it together with neighbouring peaks or as part of a broader moorland circuit.

If you're camped at Bolton Abbey Estate or Catgill Farm nearby, this is a sensible morning or afternoon outing. It sits nicely within reach of Olicana Park and the other sites scattered around the area, all within three miles or so. Skipton itself is your supply run - shops, cafes, the lot - but Middle Hare Head is where you actually get outdoors. Best tackled when the cloud's lifted and you've got good visibility.