Sandy Hill

The walk up Sandy Hill rewards you with proper expansive views across Wensleydale - the sort of panorama that makes the climb feel entirely justified. It's not a dramatic peak by any means, more a steady pull through moorland that opens out to reveal the valley floor far below, with Leyburn tucked into the distance and the Pennines rolling away to the horizon.

This is walker territory, full stop. The ascent takes a couple of hours depending on your pace and fitness, and you'll want decent boots - the path gets boggy in places, especially after rain. The summit itself is modest, bare moorland with a cairn and the kind of wind that reminds you why you brought a proper jacket. But stand there on a clear day and you understand why people spend their entire lives in this valley.

It's ideal if you're based at one of the nearby campsites - Hawes Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite sits just three miles away, making it a perfect morning or afternoon outing. Families with older kids who can manage the distance will find it manageable; younger ones might struggle with the pace and the moorland exposure. History buffs won't find much here beyond the landscape itself, but that landscape tells the story of the Dales better than any museum.

Go midweek if you can, especially in summer. Weekends bring crowds to these popular Wensleydale walks, and you'll want the moorland to yourself. Allow three to four hours total, bring water, and check the forecast beforehand - conditions change quickly up here.