Swillber Hill

The walk up Swillber Hill doesn't announce itself as anything special - just a steady climb out from the Skipton area that rewards you with proper views across the Pennine foothills. It's the sort of fell you tackle on a decent afternoon when you want something solid without committing to a full day's hiking. The summit sits at a workable height, giving you the landscape without requiring serious scrambling or alpine gear.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a technical climb, but it does demand actual legs - short enough for families who've got younger kids used to regular countryside walks, but long enough that teenagers won't kick up a fuss about wasting their time. The views reward the effort; you can see proper distance from up there, which beats trudging round a car park. Allow two to three hours depending on fitness and whether you faff about taking photos.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Thornton Hall is closest at under a mile and a half away - Swillber Hill makes a solid morning mission before heading back for lunch. Holgates Ribble Valley, about five miles out, gives you more facilities if you need proper amenities. The Skipton end of things means you're close to town for supplies and a decent pub afterwards, which frankly is half the appeal of any fell walk round here.

Go on a clear day; the cloud can roll in fast across Lancashire, and you'll want those views to justify the huffing and puffing.