Coldburn Hill

Tucked into the northern Cheviots, this rounded grassy dome overlooks the wild upper reaches of the College Valley. Often overshadowed by the looming massif of The Cheviot to the south, it offers a quieter perspective on the dramatic Hen Hole ravine and the remote, rolling ridges of the Scottish border.

• •The name derives from the Old English 'ceald' and 'burna', meaning cold stream, referring to the watercourse that drains the hill's eastern slopes into the Harthope Burn.
• •The summit provides an exceptional vantage point for inspecting the Hen Hole, a deep glacial ravine on the side of The Cheviot that remains one of the most rugged features in Northumberland.
• •It is commonly climbed on a loop from the Harthope Valley, often paired with Preston Hill to create a quieter alternative to the popular tourist track up the Cheviot massif.
• •The area is home to the Cheviot primitive goat, a hardy feral breed that has inhabited these fells for centuries and is known for its impressive, sweeping horns.
• •As is common with many lesser-visited hills in this region, the summit marker is a modest affair, often requiring a bit of searching through the grass to confirm you have actually arrived.