The 19 Most Amazing Peaks around Biddlestone

Among the most popular mountain peaks in the Biddlestone area are Simonside Summit, known for its sensational views of the Cheviot Hills and Northumbrian coastline. Another highly regarded peak is The Cheviot Summit, the highest point in Northumberland National Park, offering expansive panoramas that can reach the Lake District and Edinburgh on clear days.

Yes, for those seeking a challenge, The Cheviot Summit is classified as a challenging hike. Its 815m (2,674 feet) elevation and often boggy terrain at the top require good preparation. Cairn Hill, at 777m (2,549 feet), also offers a challenging ascent, often visited on the way to The Cheviot.

Many peaks offer stunning views. The Cheviot Summit provides vast panoramas, potentially stretching to the Lake District and Edinburgh. However, Hedgehope Hill Summit is often considered to offer an even superior panorama due to its less rounded shape, with excellent views of The Cheviot across the Harthorpe Valley. Simonside Summit also boasts sensational views of the Cheviot Hills and the entire Northumbrian coastline.

The Simonside Hills area, particularly around Simonside Summit, is a Special Area of Conservation. Here, you might spot curlews, red grouse, wild goats, and even red squirrels in the forests below. The wild landscapes of the Cheviots, visible from peaks like Cairn Hill, are also home to diverse wildlife.

Yes, The Cheviot Summit is distinguished by a slabbed pathway, which is the final stretch of the Pennine Way. It also has remnants of a crashed B-17 bomber nearby. Cairn Hill is named for a prehistoric stone pile (cairn) on its summit, believed to have been used as a ritual or burial site. Summit of Windy Gyle features Russell’s Cairn, a Bronze Age burial cairn.

For Simonside Summit, it is easily accessible from Rothbury. For Summit of Windy Gyle, a good starting point is the carpark at Windyhaugh, near Barrowburn.

The region around Biddlestone offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking trails, including easy options like 'The Drakestone & Harbottle Lake loop' or 'River Breamish – View of the Cheviot Hills loop'. For running, trails like 'Clennell Street and Usway Burn Trail' are available. Mountain biking enthusiasts can explore routes such as 'Usway Burn Trail & Windy Gyle loop from Harbottle'. You can find more details on these activities in the easy hikes, running trails, and MTB trails guides for Biddlestone.

Many of the higher peaks, such as The Cheviot Summit and Simonside Summit, can be very boggy, especially on top. It's advisable to wear appropriate waterproof footwear and stick to marked paths where available. The region is characterized by rugged hills and untamed natural beauty, so expect varied and sometimes challenging ground.

Visitors frequently praise the sensational and expansive views from the summits, with many highlighting the panoramic vistas from Simonside Summit and Hedgehope Hill Summit. The feeling of being in wild, untamed landscapes, the challenge of the climbs, and the opportunities for wildlife spotting are also highly valued.

Yes, several peaks are categorized as intermediate. Simonside Summit, Cairn Hill, and Summit of Windy Gyle all fall into this category, offering rewarding hikes with significant elevation and stunning views without being as demanding as the most challenging routes.

The highest mountain peak in the Biddlestone area, and indeed in the Northumberland National Park, is The Cheviot Summit, standing at 815m (2,674 feet).