Crow Hill

The walk up Crow Hill catches you by surprise - a proper hill rather than the rolling moorland you expect in the Borders. It's not a slog, more a steady climb with views that open up the further you go, and by the time you reach the trig point you've got the whole valley spread out below you.

From Hawick, it's a straightforward approach across the moors. The path isn't signed particularly well, so you'll need decent navigation or a map, but that's half the appeal - you won't be jostling with crowds. On a clear day the views stretch across the Cheviot range and down into the Teviot Valley. On a misty one, you get that atmospheric, quiet moorland feeling that makes the Borders so compelling.

Allow a couple of hours from town, longer if you want to sit and take it in. It's a walkers' hill rather than a family stroll - the paths can be boggy, especially after rain, and there's no facilities up there. Bring proper boots.

If you're camping at Stouslie Snugs Luxury Farm Glamping just four miles away, this makes a brilliant addition to a day's exploring. You get the physical satisfaction of a Borders walk without needing to commit to one of the bigger, more famous peaks. It's the kind of hill locals love and visitors often miss, which is exactly how it should be.