Shaptor Rock

The walk up Shaptor Rock rewards you with proper views across Dartmoor, assuming the mist has cleared for the day. It's a modest peak by any standard - nothing requiring specialist gear - but the rocky outcrop itself is striking enough to make the climb worthwhile from Newton Abbot way.

Once you're up there, the panorama spreads out nicely. On a clear day you can see across a fair chunk of Devon moorland, which beats staring at a car park. The approach is straightforward moorland walking, though the rock itself is granite and can be slippery when wet, so watch your footing. Most people allow an hour or so for the round trip, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a scramble - there's no real mountaineering involved - but if you're after a decent leg-stretch with a bit of elevation gain and some proper views, it does the job. Families with reasonably fit kids will manage it fine. Those after something more dramatic or time-consuming might find it a touch brief.

If you're based at Oakmoor Touring Park, the adult-only site just 2.5 miles away, this makes an easy morning or afternoon outing alongside exploring the wider Dartmoor. Free to access, and best tackled when the weather's cooperating - which isn't guaranteed on Dartmoor, mind you.