Torcorn Hill

Torcorn Hill sits on the edge of Dartmoor proper, a proper little viewpoint that rewards the short climb with views across Newton Abbot and the rolling country beyond. It's not a long slog - more of a brisk walk than a hike - but it's steep enough to earn the vista at the top.

The summit itself is windswept and open, which means the views go on for miles on a clear day. You can see right across the Devon plains, and on decent weather it's genuinely worth stopping for twenty minutes just to sit and look. On a murky day, though, it's less compelling - you'll struggle to see much beyond the immediate moorland.

This is best suited to walkers with a bit of stamina rather than families with small children. The path can be muddy and the wind at the top is often fierce, so it's not somewhere to take toddlers expecting an easy stroll. Teenagers and adults who enjoy being outdoors will find it rewarding though.

If you're staying at one of the nearby campsites - Dornafield is closest at just over three miles away - it makes a decent morning or late afternoon outing. Pop it into a broader walk around the area, or tackle it alone if you've got a spare hour and decent boots. The nearest sensible spot for supplies and a cup of tea afterwards is Newton Abbot itself. Go early if you can, especially in summer weekends, to dodge other walkers on the narrow paths.