Pike Rigg

The walk up Pike Rigg from Haltwhistle is properly rewarding - a solid climb, but nothing that'll destroy you. The peak sits on the edge of the Pennines, and once you've hauled yourself up there, the views across Northumberland open up in all directions. On a clear day you can see for miles across moorland and fell country. It's the kind of place that makes you understand why people move to this corner of the world.

The ascent takes a couple of hours depending on your pace and fitness. It's steep enough to feel like proper exercise, but walkers of moderate ability handle it fine. Families with older kids will manage it, though very young ones might find it a slog. The paths are reasonably well-trodden, though winter weather can make things muddy and slippery, so pick your moment.

This is absolutely the sort of walk to do if you're staying at one of the local holiday parks - Panoramic Pods and Haltwhistle Camping and Caravanning Club Site are both close by. It fits naturally into a Pennine walking break. The real appeal is the solitude and the genuine hill-country atmosphere rather than any facilities or attractions at the summit itself. No café, no visitor centre, just you and the landscape.

Go for the exercise and the views rather than expecting anything elaborate at the top. On a decent afternoon, it's exactly what a Northumberland walking holiday should feel like.