Rough Close Hill

Rough Close Hill rises above the moorland between Clitheroe and the Forest of Bowland like something out of a fell runner's fever dream - steep, windswept, and properly rewarding if you've got the legs for it. The ascent itself is no joke; this isn't a gentle stroll. What you get at the top, though, is panoramic views across Lancashire's uplands that stretch for miles on a clear day. The moorland grouse and rough grassland give the whole place a wild, untamed feel that contrasts sharply with the tamer valleys below.

Walkers will absolutely get their money's worth here - it's the sort of peak that justifies a proper hike rather than a casual ramble. Families with younger kids might find the scramble tedious, but teenagers who've got some stamina will relish it. There's no café at the summit, no visitor facilities, which is part of its charm really. This is proper Pennine walking.

It sits well within a broader holiday in the Ribble Valley; Clitheroe makes a solid base, and there are several camping and glamping options nearby including Peaks and Pods and Holgates Ribble Valley if you're after a bit of comfort after a day on the fells. Allow two to three hours depending on fitness and which route you take up. Go early morning if weather's cooperative - the views deserve decent visibility, and the crowds (what few there are) thin out quickly once the afternoon sets in.