Smeeton Hill

The walk up Smeeton Hill takes about twenty minutes from the car park, and it's steep enough to get your heart going without being exhausting. On a clear day you'll see across three counties - proper impressive considering you're only about 600 feet up. The views sweep down towards Leicester and out across the surrounding farmland, with the Charnwood Forest landmarks visible on the horizon if you know what you're looking for.

It's one of those spots that works brilliantly for families who want a genuine sense of achievement without committing to a full day's hiking. Kids under ten might find the ascent a bit of a slog, but the flat summit gives them room to run about and burn energy. On weekends the peak can get busy - locals know it's a decent quick fix for views.

Go early morning or late afternoon if you want solitude. The light at either end of the day makes the views actually worthwhile photographing, rather than just filing away in your head. Allow ninety minutes round trip if you're ambling and taking in the vista properly.

If you're staying at Valley View Escapes or Brook Meadow nearby, this makes a cracking morning adventure before heading back for lunch. It's free and requires no booking - just turn up. The only thing worth mentioning is the path gets muddy after rain, so decent boots aren't optional. Worth the detour if you're in the area, though it's not the sort of place you'd drive hours for.