Rape Hill

The climb up Rape Hill is straightforward enough from Skipton's northern edge - a proper moorland push rather than a technical scramble. You're looking at decent views across the Pennines once you've gained the height, with the landscape rolling away toward Malham and the wider Yorkshire Dales. The walk itself takes about an hour up and back, depending on your pace and how many times you stop to catch your breath.

This is walkers' territory, not a tourist trap. You won't find facilities or interpretation boards. It's bare, honest moorland with gorse and bracken, the kind of place where you actually notice the wind and the light. On a clear day it's worth the effort. On a grey one, less so.

Families with older kids who don't mind a steady uphill slog will manage fine. Younger ones might find it unrewarding - there's no summit hut, no café, no quick payoff. The appeal is straightforward: you walk, you see far, you walk back down.

If you're based at one of the nearby glamping spots - Hedgerow or Malham Pods are both within striking distance - this makes a solid half-day outing alongside proper Dales walking. Pair it with Thornton Hall's grounds or Peaks and Pods' location for a fuller break. But don't expect it to be your main event. It's a solid B-list walk, the sort you do because you're in the area and the weather's kind.