Wool Stones Hill

The walk up to Wool Stones Hill rewards you with proper moorland views across North Yorkshire, and the summit itself isn't much of a slog from Harrogate - maybe forty minutes if you're not rushing. The stones at the top are worth the effort, weathered chunks of gritstone that mark the highest point and give you something to aim for rather than just wandering aimlessly across the moor.

It's a straightforward walk, the kind that suits families with older kids or anyone after a brisk leg-stretch without the full-day commitment of something like Pen-y-ghent. The landscape is open moorland, so on a clear day the views stretch proper far. Windy days are common up here though, so come prepared.

You'll want to allow a couple of hours return from wherever you park. The ground can be boggy after rain, so it's not ideal immediately after a downpour. Early morning is best if you want to avoid the weekend crowds that drift out from Harrogate.

If you're based at Breaks Fold Farm Glamping or Olicana Park - both just a few miles away - this makes a cracking morning walk before heading back for lunch. It slots in well with a broader Yorkshire wander, especially if you're mixing moorland rambles with visits to the classier bits of Harrogate itself. The peak isn't life-changing, but it's a proper little hill that does what it says on the tin.