Whaup Knowe

The walk up Whaup Knowe is a proper little lung-buster, but the payoff is genuine. It's not a massive summit - just 355 metres - but what it lacks in stature it makes up for in views across the Tyne Valley. On a clear day you can see for miles, rolling moorland stretching out towards the Pennines. The route itself takes you through open fell country with good paths, though it gets boggy in places after rain so proper boots matter.

This is the sort of walk that appeals to experienced hill-goers rather than casual strollers. Allow a couple of hours return from Hexham, which is the nearest sensible starting point. There's no obvious car park at the summit - you're working out your own access here - which keeps the crowds down but means doing your homework beforehand.

It's ideal if you're basing yourself at Wild Northumberland Glamping or GlamPods just outside town. Both give you that comfortable bed-and-breakfast setup without the faff of a caravan site, and Whaup Knowe makes for a solid half-day excursion. Families with younger kids might find it a bit relentless; teenagers and adults who enjoy moorland walking will get properly rewarded. Go in the shoulder months - spring or autumn - when the light is cracking and you've got a decent chance of clear visibility. Summer can bring mist rolling in without warning.