Eelbeck Rigg

The walk up Eelbeck Rigg rewards you with wide Durham moorland views and a proper sense of achievement for what's a modest climb. It's the kind of fell that doesn't announce itself - you won't see it from the main roads around Bishop Auckland - but once you're up there, the horizon stretches out in all directions and you feel genuinely away from things.

The route isn't technical, which is exactly why it works so well for families and casual walkers. You're looking at maybe ninety minutes up and back depending on your pace and which approach you take from the surrounding paths. The moorland terrain is open grassland with decent paths underfoot, though it can get boggy after rain so proper boots aren't optional.

History types won't find much on the summit itself, but the wider area has good bones if you're interested in the industrial heritage of County Durham - mining landscapes and old track routes crisscross these hills. Cyclists and fell runners also use the area regularly, so you'll get a sense you're on something established rather than some obscure local secret.

Based near Bishop Auckland, you're well positioned for this walk if you're staying at Leekworth Caravan Park or Mickleton Mill Caravan Park - both are within easy driving distance. It's free to walk and accessible year-round, though winter can make the higher sections more challenging underfoot. Go on a clear day if you can. The views are the whole point here.