Great Collishaw Hill

The walk up Great Collishaw Hill takes you out of Harrogate's genteel bubble and into proper Yorkshire moorland. It's not a dramatic peak - more a generous roll of heather and grass that offers genuine 360-degree views across the Dales when the weather cooperates. On a clear day you can pick out Pen-y-ghent and Whernside in the distance, which makes the modest effort feel worthwhile.

Most people tackle this as a two-hour outing, starting from the lower slopes and working up at an easy pace. The path is well-trodden but not manicured, which means proper walking boots are sensible rather than optional. It's the sort of place where families with older kids do well - young toddlers will find the distance frustrating, but eight-year-olds upwards tend to get on with it fine.

If you're camping at Breaks Fold Farm Glamping or Bolton Abbey Estate Caravan Club just down the road, this becomes a natural morning or late-afternoon circuit. The real value isn't the summit itself - there's no trig point, no café, no drama - but rather the breathing space it gives you from Harrogate's crowds. Walkers using Howgill Lodge or Catgill Farm as bases will find it pairs well with longer Dales explorations. Admission is free, parking is straightforward, and you can do it in any season, though spring and autumn show the moorland at its most honest.