We love the Yorkshire Dales, but in summer it can get quite crowded, with walkers off on adventures up the peaks and the less energetic strolling around the picturesque market towns and villages. In a

6 20.6km / 12.8 miles / 7-7.5 hours Ascent 1122m/3680ft

■ Distance: 8½ miles/13.8km ■ Time: 4 hours ■ ...

We arrive at the top of High Cup Nick in the North Pennines. “It’s like the world starts just over there,” comments my friend Mark. He’s pointing down the U-shaped chasm of High Cup Gill, beyond whose

■ Distance: 7¾ miles/12.5km ■ Time: 4 hours ■ ...

CHOSEN BY… SIMON WHALEY Disused Oswestry to Whitchurch ...