Carston Hill

The walk up Carston Hill rewards you with proper views across North Yorkshire moorland - nothing dramatic, but the kind of landscape that grows on you after twenty minutes of steady climbing. You're looking at open moorland rather than fell, so it's gentler underfoot than some peaks round here, though the weather can turn quickly enough that you'll want layers.

This works well for families who've mastered the basics of hill-walking but aren't ready for anything too serious. Kids aged eight-plus should manage it without complaint, assuming they're the type to enjoy a bit of fresh air and space. The summit itself isn't marked with anything fancy - just open ground and sight lines to the Pennines when conditions allow.

Local walkers tend to combine this with a circuit through nearby moorland rather than making it a standalone trip. It's the sort of place you'd slot into a longer day rather than drive across Yorkshire specifically to climb.

If you're based at one of the caravan parks nearby - Maustin Park sits closest at under two miles away, with Haighfield and Rudding also within easy reach - this becomes a useful half-day outing. The access is straightforward from the Leeds side, which makes it convenient if you're touring the Yorkshire valleys. Allow ninety minutes round trip if you're taking it steady and stopping to look about.