The Cheviot (NT909205)

The author conquers The Cheviot in 2007

The summit of the region’s highest mountain, The Cheviot, is an uninspiring affair. Its whaleback form covers a huge area – big enough, it was once said, to hold an army. Covered by a sticky peak bog, it has recently been made more accessible by the laying of large flags which guide one to the hefty trig point. Still, though, it’s worth a climb – if only to say you’ve done it.

• Location: North Northumberland, about 1 mile from the Scottish border to the west
• At 815m (2,674ft) it is the highest peak in the Cheviot Hills
• Outside of Cumbria, it is England’s highest mountain (if one includes Cumbria it is No.35 on the list)
• Most northerly major peak of the Pennine Way (via a slight detour)
• It forms part of a long-extinct volcano, created between 360-480 million years ago
• The present, giant summit marker is the third of of its kind – the previous two having sunk into the mire
• It is officially designated as a ‘Marilyn’
• Protected as part of the Northumberland National Park