Red Squirrel viewpoint

You'll find yourself on a proper Yorkshire hillside looking out across the Wensleydale valleys, and if you're lucky - genuinely lucky - a red squirrel will dart across your path. The Red Squirrel viewpoint near Hawes isn't a grand visitor centre or anything fussy. It's essentially a designated spot where these increasingly rare animals have been spotted, giving you a fighting chance of seeing one in the wild rather than just in a wildlife park.

Walkers love this for good reason. The location offers sweeping views across the dale, the kind that make the walk up worthwhile even if no squirrels appear. Allow an hour or so if you're combining it with other routes in the area - it works well as a midway stop rather than a destination in itself. Early morning or late afternoon gives you the best chance of spotting wildlife; midday tends to be quiet for animals.

Nearby, Hawes Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite and Stablefell Holidays are both well-regarded bases for exploring Wensleydale. From either site, you're positioned for a proper rambling holiday - the viewpoint slots neatly into a wider walking itinerary without dominating your day. Families with patient kids will find it worthwhile; young children might get restless if squirrels don't show. It's free, naturally, and there's no entrance fee or timed visits to worry about. Worth the detour if you're in the dale, but don't build your whole trip around it.