Sugar Hill

Sugar Hill sits just outside Harrogate, and it's one of those walks that rewards you properly if you don't expect too much. The climb is straightforward enough - nothing that'll leave you gasping - but the views across the Stray and beyond are decent, especially on a clear day when you can see right across the valleys. It's the kind of place locals know and visitors overlook, which makes it rather good.

The walk itself takes about an hour or so depending on pace and how long you linger at the top. Families with reasonably fit kids will manage it without complaint, though very young legs might find it a bit of a slog on the way down. Walkers heading out from Harrogate will appreciate how close it is and how quickly you can get some proper views without driving anywhere. History types won't find much here - it's purely about the landscape and the moorland feel.

Free to access, naturally. The best approach is to catch it on a dry day when the views actually stretch, not in drizzle when you're basically walking into cloud. If you're camping at Breaks Fold Farm Glamping nearby, you could fit this in as an afternoon sortie before heading back for supper. It slots nicely into a walking holiday around the area - combine it with longer hikes on the Stray proper, or use it as a warm-up before tackling bigger peaks further up in the Dales. Don't come expecting drama or wilderness; come for a proper walk with decent horizons and fresh air on your face.