Crook Hill

The walk up Crook Hill rewards you with proper Derbyshire views - moorland stretching out across the Hope Valley, with the darker edges of the Peak District folding away into the distance. It's not a long haul; most walkers knock it out in an hour or so depending on fitness and how many times you stop to catch your breath on the steeper sections.

From the summit you're looking across some genuinely good landscape. On a clear day the perspective shifts - suddenly you understand how the valleys slot together, how the hills relate to one another. The actual hill itself is nothing dramatic, more a raised point than a peak in the Alpine sense, but that's rather the point with Derbyshire walking. The interest lies in the views and the moorland itself, not in technical climbing.

This works well as a half-day outing if you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Laneside or Castleton are both within striking distance. It's the sort of walk that suits families with older kids or anyone wanting a straightforward moorland ramble without the scrambling. The terrain is straightforward, though it can be boggy after rain so proper boots matter.

The nearest decent town is Hope Valley, which has shops and facilities if you need to sort supplies. Combine this with a visit to some of the bigger draws in the area - Winnats Pass or Speedwell Cavern aren't far - and you've got a solid day. Go early if the weather's holding; these hills clear quickly and afternoons can turn grey.