High Hurth

High Hurth rises up from the moorland around Bishop Auckland with views that stretch across County Durham on a clear day. It's a proper walk to get there - nothing dramatic, but enough to work up an appetite for the summit cairn. The fell tops out at decent height and the surrounding landscape opens up in that way that only Pennine peaks do, all brown earth and distant horizons.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a scramble or anything technical, just steady climbing over open ground with the kind of weather exposure that means you need to respect what you're doing. Allow a couple of hours return from the base, depending on your pace. Summer's the obvious choice, but the moorland shows well enough in autumn too.

If you're based at Westgate Caravan & Camping Site nearby - which has decent reviews and sits just a few miles out - High Hurth makes a straightforward morning or afternoon walk without needing to load up the car and drive hours. The route's accessible without being boring, and the views pay off the effort. Families with older kids who don't mind a steady climb will manage fine. Younger children might find it a bit relentless with no features to hold their attention halfway up.

Bring water. The moorland offers no shelter or facilities once you're out there. Get started early enough to have daylight to spare.