Wether Lair

Getting to Wether Lair is a proper fell walk from Hexham, and the climb pays off with commanding views across Northumberland's moorland. It's a straightforward hike rather than a technical scramble - the sort of walk where you'll spend most of your time thinking about the view ahead rather than your feet.

The summit itself is modest in stature but big on perspective. On a clear day you can see right across the Pennines, and in winter when the light's low and sharp, it's genuinely striking. The walk takes you through open moorland, so there's nothing to shelter under if the weather turns - check the forecast before you head out.

This is ideal for walkers who want a decent hill without faffing about with scrambles or technical sections. Families with teenagers who can handle a few hours on their feet will do well here; younger kids might find the exposed moorland a bit much if the wind's up. History enthusiasts won't find monuments or remains, but the landscape itself tells the story of Northumberland's borderland character.

Allow two to three hours depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top. Spring and autumn are best - summer can be busy on weekends, and winter needs proper preparation.

If you're based at one of the Kielder parks nearby - Kielder Waterside, Border Forest, or Landal - Wether Lair makes a solid day out that complements the quieter forest walks around the water itself. It's the contrast that works: gentle waterside ambling one day, open fell the next.