Pike Rig

Pike Rig rises abruptly from the rolling borderlands east of Coldstream, a stark cone of grass and stone that catches the eye from miles around. It's a proper fell walk rather than a gentle stroll - the climb is steep and relentless, but the views from the summit justify the huffing. On a clear day you're looking across the Cheviot Hills into England, with the Tweed Valley spreading out below like a patchwork quilt.

The walk itself takes about an hour up and forty minutes down from the nearest access point, depending on your fitness and how often you stop for breath. It's moorland terrain, so decent boots help; the ground's boggy in patches after rain. Most people do this as a morning outing before heading into Coldstream for lunch, which is sensible.

This isn't a tourist trap with facilities or interpretation boards. It's a working hill where you go for the views and the exertion, really. Families with older kids who can manage a proper climb will get something from it, but younger ones will find it tedious. Walkers stay longer - there's real ridge walking if you fancy extending the route, and the landscape rewards exploration.

If you're based at Coldstream Holiday Park, Pike Rig makes a solid half-day addition to a walking-focused break. It's not complicated or time-consuming, and the payoff - standing on top looking across the borderlands - is genuine. Just allow longer than you think on the way up.