Hard Rigg

Hard Rigg isn't a dramatic summit, but the walk up from Hexham way rewards you with proper views across the Tyne Valley. It's a steady climb without being punishing - most people knock it out in under two hours return, which makes it decent for a half-day outing when you're staying at Panoramic Pods down the road.

The peak itself is moorland rather than rocky drama. What you get is space, air, and the kind of 360-degree perspective that reminds you how much landscape sits around this corner of Northumberland. On a clear day the sight lines stretch for miles. Walkers will enjoy it more than casual strollers - there's no café at the top or manicured paths, just proper hillside and boots.

Worth doing if you're in Hexham anyway and fancy a genuine moorland walk without the scramble. It's the sort of place that feels better in autumn than summer, when the heather's turning and the light gets interesting. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find the walk a bit long for the payoff.

Timing-wise, head up mid-morning to avoid the afternoon mist that can roll in. Go alone or with a small group - it never feels crowded, which is half the appeal. If you're basecamp-ed at Panoramic Pods, this sits nicely into a proper walking holiday rather than a tick-box peak-bagging day.