Black Rigg

Black Rigg sits at 658 metres on the Pennine ridge, a proper fell walk rather than a gentle stroll. The climb from Haltwhistle is relentless - about three hours up if you're not pushing hard - but the views across the Tyne Valley open up as you gain height.

It's not dramatic in the Lake District sense. No sheer drops or rocky scrambles. What you get instead is expansive moorland walking, the kind where you can see for miles on a clear day and feel properly remote despite being close to a small market town. The summit itself is fairly bare, marked by a cairn, and the ground underfoot can be boggy depending on recent weather.

This is squarely for walkers with decent fitness and proper boots. Kids might find the slog tedious, though older teenagers who don't mind a long day would be fine. History types won't find much at the top - the appeal is the landscape and the walking itself.

Go early on a dry day if you can; the moorland gets claggy in wet weather and navigation becomes more serious. Allow a full day to do it justice, particularly if you're not a regular fell walker. The route tends to be straightforward enough - the Pennine Way passes nearby - but this isn't a quick visit.

If you're camped at Haltwhistle Camping and Caravanning Club Site, it's a natural objective. Being roughly local gives you flexibility to wait for decent weather rather than forcing it on a drizzly Tuesday.