White Tor

The walk up White Tor from Hope Valley is proper graft, but the payoff is worth every step. You're looking at a limestone peak that commands views across the whole of the Dark Peak - on a clear day you can see for miles in all directions. The climb itself takes about forty-five minutes to an hour depending on fitness, and it's steep enough to get the heart pumping without being technical.

Once you're up there, the views are genuinely impressive. The tor itself is modest - just a rocky outcrop at the summit - but that's almost beside the point. What matters is the perspective you get over Castleton, Mam Tor, and the rippling ridges beyond. It's the kind of walk that rewards you immediately for the effort.

This one suits proper walkers rather than families with young kids. There's no car park right at the base, so you're looking at a full morning's outing from wherever you're camping in the Hope Valley area. Laneside Caravan Park and Castleton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite are your closest bases - both within a few miles.

Go on a weekday if you can. Weekends can see decent crowds, and the narrow paths get a bit tedious with bottlenecks. Weather matters here too - when it's cloudy the walk loses its appeal. Pick a day with decent visibility and you'll understand why people make the trip.