Dod Fell

The walk up Dod Fell isn't long, but it's steep enough to make you feel you've earned the summit. From Hexham, it's a proper straightforward hike - you're looking at roughly two hours there and back if you're moving at a steady pace, though walkers will want longer to sit about at the top.

What you get for your effort is a decent moorland ridge with views that stretch across Northumberland. On a clear day you can see for miles, which makes the effort worthwhile. The fell itself is bleak and open - there's no shelter up there, so weather matters. Rain rolls in quickly across these hills.

It's the kind of walk that rewards proper walkers rather than casual strollers. Families with older kids will manage fine if they're used to hills, but expect complaints from younger ones halfway up. Solo hikers and serious peak-baggers will get the most from it - that quiet, solitary moorland feeling is what draws people out here.

The ground underfoot ranges from decent path to boggy patches depending on rainfall, so come with proper boots. There's no café, no facilities, no faffing about - just you and the fell. If you're camped at nearby Kielder Campsite, Dod Fell makes a solid morning mission before you head off exploring the rest of the area.