Simonside Hills

Ok so I have said it before about other places on the Fabulous North, and no doubt will say it again, but this is one of my favourite places to have a wander in Northumberland.

Seen from miles around this instantly recognisable hill formation in Northumberland is the wonderfully named Simonside Hills up near Rothbury.

Deposited from a river delta around 330 million years ago, the sandstones have been eroded and weathered over time to give them their unique look. Covered in a blanket of peat bog and heather these hills are also home to teems of wildlife including red grouse, curlew, adders and even wild goats!

Let's take you on a little tour.

I started by heading up towards the Lordenshaw Hillfort which sits opposite the main Simonside Ridge, but then headed on to the nearby hill to explore the crags first, which is what you can see above.

The Garleigh Moor Trig Point sits at the top of this hill. Then over to the Lordenshaw Hillfort, unfortunately not much left of it now.

There is also a big rock with cup and ring marks on from the Bronze Age, but the picture I took was blurry and I am too embarrased to post it. Will add to the page after my next visit!

Then back over to the Simonside Hills, but rather than going up to the top, I head around the side, through some fields and over a little bridge.

Lots of deforestation going on and tree remnants for well over a few km.

Around the forest track before opening onto the small pond.

Right around the other side of the ridge now.

Picked up a little friend on the way! Finally the path towards the ridge through an abundance of heather.

So many spectacular views, but this one over the nearby valley (with the rain clouds) was tremendous.

That looked a worringly long way uphill!

Getting nearer to the top!

At the top or what I believe to be Tosson Hill and greated by this amazing rock formation.

And another trig bagged, this time it's the Tosson Hill Trig Point.

Simonside Ridge in the distance, more climbing to come.

More stairs heading to the top. (Bit like the stairs of Cirith Ungol for LOTR fans!)

Finally at the top of the ridge. So just a small walk along the top to admire some spectacular crags.

And even more crags!

About halfway along the ridge now.

Lots of these lovely little painted pebbles dotted around.

Final stretch and then back to the car park.

One last look back before we head down from the hill.

Wow that was a lot of photos. (And around a tenth of what I actually took!)

Hope you enjoyed the tour of 25km around the Simonside Hills.

There are plenty of walking routes, whether you want to climb the hill, admire it from the tracks below, or just explore the nearby forest. Your reward from the climb are amazing crags and a wonderful 360-degree view incorporating the Cheviot Hills and North Sea coastline.