Stoterley Hill

Trudging up this modest County Durham peak on a drizzly Tuesday, I wondered if the effort would be worth it. Stoterley Hill stands at a respectable height just outside Consett, offering proper views across the North Pennine landscape when the weather cooperates. The climb itself is fairly straightforward - no technical scrambling required - though the boggy patches near the top will test your boot waterproofing.

From the summit, you'll catch sight of the Derwent Valley spreading out below, with glimpses of more dramatic fells to the west on clearer days. It's the sort of hill that rewards early morning starts when the mist lifts off the surrounding moorland.

Walkers and fell runners will get the most from this one. Families with older children who don't mind a bit of mud might enjoy the adventure, but I'd skip it with pushchairs or very young ones. The terrain can be rough underfoot, especially after rain.

Allow about two hours for the round trip, including time to appreciate the views. Best tackled as part of a longer walking holiday based at one of the nearby caravan parks like Village Green Holiday Park or Allensford Holiday Park Consett. It makes a decent warm-up before tackling some of the higher peaks further into the Pennines.