Northumberland
Darden Rigg
407M
1335FT
About Darden Rigg
Rising above the Coquet Valley near Bickerton, this heather-clad moorland hill offers a quieter alternative to the popular Simonside Crags. Part of the Simonside range, its broad, often boggy plateau provides a rugged sense of isolation and expansive views across the Northumberland National Park towards the distant Cheviots to the north.
Key Statistics
Rank
79th Highest in Region
Parent Range
England
Prominence
?
78
Nearest Town
Bickerton
Geology
You are trekking across the Fell Sandstone Formation, a solid foundation of gritty sandstone that shapes this fell's rugged landscape.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY987965
Latitude
55.2627°N
Longitude
2.0220°W
Did You Know?
- •The name ‘Rigg’ stems from the Old Norse hryggr, meaning a ridge or spine, a fitting description for this elongated moorland shoulder that overlooks the lower Coquetdale landscape.
- •On the southern slopes lies Darden Lough, a quiet upland pool surrounded by peat bog that serves as a stark, glassy contrast to the surrounding rough heather and sandstone outcrops.
- •The summit provides a clear vantage point for identifying the major peaks of the Cheviot Hills, with the distinctive rounded domes of The Cheviot and Hedgehope Hill visible on the northern horizon.
- •While the elevation is modest, the local peat hags have a long-standing reputation for testing the waterproof integrity of even the most seasoned walker's boots.