Toft Ridge

Toft Ridge rises above the flat moorland between Ripon and Masham in a way that catches you off guard. It's not dramatic - North Yorkshire's moorland peaks rarely are - but the views back towards Ripon and across the Dales feel genuinely rewarding for the short walk up.

The ridge itself is straightforward hiking, manageable for fit families and anyone who enjoys a proper walk without the scrambling. You'll get moorland underfoot, a bit of wind up top, and on a clear day the visibility stretches properly far. The route is flexible enough that you can make it as long or short as you want depending on fitness.

This works brilliantly as a half-day outing if you're staying at Woodhouse Farm Holiday Park - it's barely a mile and a half away, making it ideal for a morning walk before lunch. Don't expect dramatic summits or fell-walker drama. This is honest, quiet moorland walking where the appeal is the space and the light rather than the destination.

The ground can be boggy in winter and wet weather, so decent boots matter. Spring and early summer are best - the gorse blooms and the light is long. Allow two to three hours if you're taking it leisurely and want to sit at the top. Solo walkers and couples will appreciate the solitude. Young children might find the exposed moorland a bit dull unless they're already keen hikers.