Thorpe Fell

The walk up Thorpe Fell rewards you with proper views across Wharfedale and into the wider Dales landscape. It's not a dramatic summit - you won't find yourself on some exposed ridge gasping at the scenery - but it's a solid half-day outing from Skipton that ticks the box if you want something achievable without spending all afternoon on your feet.

The fell itself sits at 1,472 feet, accessible via a steady climb that passes through moorland and rough grass. Weather permitting, you can see right across to Pen-y-ghent and Whernside on clear days. The terrain is typical Yorkshire Dales moorland - bog in wet patches, heather in drier spots, and the occasional rocky outcrop to break things up.

Walkers with reasonable fitness will find this manageable. Families might find the ascent a bit relentless with young legs, though kids who like scrambling will enjoy the rougher bits near the top. Allow two to three hours for the round trip depending on pace and how long you want to sit about taking photos.

Go early if you can - the Dales get rammed with visitors, especially weekends. Dawn or late afternoon light is far better than midday glare anyway.

If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Howgill Lodge or Bolton Abbey Estate are both close - this works perfectly as a morning walk before lunch in Skipton. Pair it with a visit to the town itself, which has decent shops and a cracking market on Saturdays. Not a mountain experience, but a proper Dales walk that justifies the detour.