Hedgehope Hill

Often overlooked in favour of its taller neighbour, this steep-sided Hewitt offers a more rewarding profile and superior views than The Cheviot itself. Rising sharply from the Harthope Valley, its cone-like summit provides a clear panorama across the Northumberland coastline and south towards the distant North Pennines.

• •Its name combines the Old English 'hecg' (an enclosure) and 'hop' (a small valley), describing the sheltered landscape at the foot of the hill rather than the 714-metre summit itself.
• •While its neighbour, The Cheviot, takes the title of highest peak, Hedgehope Hill is widely regarded as the better viewpoint; on a clear day, the coastal landmarks of Dunstanburgh Castle and the Farne Islands are clearly visible to the east.
• •The approach from the south-east via the Breamish Valley offers a gentler but longer ascent compared to the steep, direct pull from Langleeford, which looms nearly 400 metres above the valley floor.
• •To the south, the vista extends far beyond the local range, reaching the industrial skyline of Tyneside and the Greek-style Penshaw Monument in County Durham.
• •Navigating the high ridge to the neighbouring summit of Comb Fell provides a masterclass in Cheviot terrain, where the path often disappears into a series of peat hags that can be waist-deep after rain.