Rushy Rig

The walk up Rushy Rig rewards you with genuine views across the Northumberland hills - no pretence, no bells and whistles, just a proper moorland summit. You're looking at rough grassland, exposed ridges, and on a clear day, sightlines that stretch for miles. The terrain is boggy and steep in places, which sounds miserable but actually keeps the crowds away.

It's a walker's hill, frankly. Not one for families with small children unless you fancy wrestling a toddler through heather and peat, and the summit itself is bare - no café, no visitor centre, nothing bar the wind and the view. That's rather the point. Allow two to three hours for the ascent and descent from Hexham, depending on your pace and whether you get lost in the featureless plateau sections (easy done on a grey day).

The nearest proper base is Kielder Campsite, about six miles away, which makes this an excellent addition to a broader walking holiday in the area. Hexham itself is close enough for supplies and a decent pub afterward. Best tackled in dry weather, when the path is at least manageable - come here in rain and the bog becomes genuinely taxing. Summer or early autumn beats winter hands down. If you're already exploring the wider Northumberland uplands, Rushy Rig is worth the detour. If you're after dramatic vistas and easy access, look elsewhere.