Burnt Tom Crags

The walk up Burnt Tom Crags rewards you with proper views across Northumberland's moorland - the kind of landscape that actually justifies the climb. It's a straightforward ascent from the valleys around Hexham, gaining height steadily without becoming technically demanding, though the terrain underfoot can be boggy depending on when you visit.

What you get at the top is open moorland with the Pennines stretching away to the south and Kielder Forest visible to the north. On a clear day it's genuinely excellent; on a misty day, less so. The crags themselves are modest sandstone outcrops - don't expect dramatic cliff scenery - but they mark a proper high point and the visibility from up here carries a long way.

Walkers will find this worthwhile, particularly those based at Kielder Waterside or Landal Kielder Waterside, both only about five miles away. It makes a decent half-day outing rather than a full-day commitment. Families with older kids who can manage a couple of hours on the hills will get something from it, though younger ones might find the moorland a bit featureless. The ground gets wet and squelchy after rain, so pick your weather if you can.

It's free to visit, obviously - it's a peak. Allow two to three hours return depending on pace and where exactly you start from nearby. Best visited in spring or autumn when the moorland looks its best and you're less likely to be fighting through deep heather.