Tosson Hill

About Tosson Hill

Tucked away west of the popular Simonside ridge, this is the true high point of the range. Its heather-clad slopes lead to the impressive sandstone ramparts of Ravensheugh, offering a quieter, more rugged experience than its famous neighbours. From the summit, the Coquet Valley unfolds beautifully towards the distant Cheviot.

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Did You Know?

• •The name 'Tosson' is thought to derive from the Old English 'tate-stan', meaning a 'lookout stone' or 'prominent rock', likely a reference to the distinctive sandstone outcrops that define the northern edge of the hill.
• •Although its neighbour Simonside receives far more visitors, Tosson Hill is the technical summit of the range, standing nearly 12 metres taller and earning its classification as a Marilyn.
• •The sandstone crags at Ravensheugh on the hill's northern flank provide high-quality rock climbing; they are often preferred by locals seeking peace away from the busier Great Tosson and Simonside crags.
• •For decades, the summit was legally inaccessible to the public as it lay on private land beyond the Forestry Commission woods; it was only the 2000 CROW Act that finally opened the heather to walkers.
• •The view north is one of the best in the county, framing the deep cut of the Coquet Valley against the massive, rounded profiles of The Cheviot and Hedgehope Hill.
• •It offers the distinct satisfaction of standing on the range's true summit while watching the crowds 2km away on Simonside, many of whom remain blissfully unaware they are on the lower hill.