Northumberland
Hedgehope Hill
714M
2344FT
About 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.
Key Statistics
Rank
4th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Cheviots
Prominence
?
147.3m
Nearest Town
Northumberland
Geology
You are hiking over a solid base of granite, cut by narrow bands of crystal-rich rock that cooled slowly deep underground.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NT943197
Latitude
55.4711°N
Longitude
2.0917°W
Did You Know?
- •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.