Piles Hill

The walk up Piles Hill from South Brent takes you across proper moorland - the kind where the wind has a real bite even on decent days. It's not a dramatic peak by any stretch, but the views across Dartmoor open up as you climb, and on a clear afternoon you can see right across to the granite tors that make this corner of Devon worth visiting in the first place.

Most people tackle it as a half-day outing, maybe two hours if you're not rushing. The path gets boggy in places - wear proper boots - but it's straightforward enough for families with older kids. You won't find crowds, which is rather the point. The moorland itself is the draw here: low scrub, open sky, and that genuine sense of isolation you get on Dartmoor proper.

If you're based at Ashbourne Woods or Dartmoor Domes, both excellent parks nearby, this works as a proper morning walk before settling back for lunch. It's free to access, no gates or nonsense, just turn up and go. Don't expect facilities at the top - no café, no tarmac, no interpretive signs telling you what you're looking at. That's the appeal, really.

Best visited outside the height of summer when the moorland can feel a bit parched and exhausted. Spring and autumn are cracking seasons. Winter's dramatic but the weather turns quickly, so check conditions before you head out.