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The Cheviot

816m Elevation
558m Prominence
England Country
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Overview

The Cheviot

The Cheviot is the highest hill in Northumberland and Northumberland National Park. This page uses the current Database of British and Irish Hills-derived elevation of 816 metres; many established visitor guides quote 815 metres.

Landscape and summit

The mountain has a broad, peaty summit plateau, with a trig pillar on a raised base and stone slabs on sections of the approach. Much of the surrounding ground is wet and boggy. Views are often better from the approaches and nearby tops than from the flat summit itself.

The massif includes Devonian volcanic rocks and a granite intrusion. Its present landscape reflects a long history of erosion, rather than simply the shape of a former volcano.

Planning a walk

Harthope Valley near Langleeford is a common starting area. Routes can climb via Scald Hill or make a circuit using Harthope Burn and Cairn Hill. College Valley and Kirk Yetholm provide different, longer approaches; the summit is reached by a spur from the main Pennine Way.

Choose a complete mapped itinerary. Distances, ascent and walking times depend on the precise start and route, and rough peat can make progress slow. Carry navigation equipment and be prepared for wind, rain and poor visibility.

Access and facilities

Roadside parking for Harthope Valley walks is near NT953225. Wooler provides refreshments and public toilets at its bus station car park; do not assume facilities are available at the hill-walk start. In College Valley, a permit is required to drive beyond the Hethpool car park.

History

The name's origin is uncertain. Remains of a Second World War bomber lie north of the summit, on rough ground.

Further information

Explore routes near The Cheviot

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

The Cheviot - two ww2 wrecks

7.5 km ~4h 5m Hard

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Hedgehope Hill from Langleeford via Housey Crags

7.1 km ~3h 20m Moderate

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Cheviot and Hedgehope circlular

15.2 km ~6h 30m Hard

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Cheviot from Langleeford over scald hill

10.2 km Moderate

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

The Cheviot via Harthope Valley

From roadside parking near Langleeford (NT953225), an approach climbs via Scald Hill to The Cheviot's broad summit plateau, returning the same way. Use a complete route map. Do not use estimates for a different Harthope Burn circuit.

Moderate

The Cheviot and Hedgehope Hill Circular

A demanding round can link Scald Hill, The Cheviot, Cairn Hill, Comb Fell and Hedgehope Hill before returning to Langleeford. Expect rough, wet ground and significant ascent; use a complete route map.

Hard

The Cheviot via Hen Hole

College Valley offers approaches towards Hen Hole and the Cheviot massif. Start at Hethpool unless authorised to drive farther up the valley. Hen Hole is steep, rough ground with waterfalls; use an established mapped itinerary and plan the return to College Valley. Scald Hill is on the Harthope side, not a direct return to Hethpool.

Hard

The Cheviot from Wooler Common

Wooler Common and Woodland Park (visitor area NT977274) provides a more distant starting area for longer approaches. Choose a fully mapped hill route and account for additional distance and ascent. The local woodland trails are not a complete marked route to The Cheviot.

Hard

The Cheviot via Pennine Way

A long, remote approach from Kirk Yetholm uses the Pennine Way and the signed summit spur near Cairn Hill. The summit is a detour from the main Pennine Way. Plan the full return and allow for rough ground and poor visibility.

Very Hard
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Simm Hewitt Nuttall Historic County Top (pre-1889) Administrative County Top (1889 to 1996) Current County/UA Top

Elevation

816m

2,677 ft

Prominence

558m

Coordinates

55.4785, -2.1474

NT907205

OS Map

74 75

Explorer: OL16E

At the Summit

The broad summit plateau has a trig pillar on a raised base and a stone-slab path. The actual highest ground is close to the pillar rather than its top. The plateau can be boggy and difficult to navigate in cloud.

Terrain & Geology

Expect open moorland wet peat and boggy ground with stone slabs on parts of the summit approach. Paths can be indistinct away from the main approach routes.

The Cheviot massif records Devonian volcanic activity. Its geology includes a granite intrusion and surrounding volcanic rocks, including andesite lavas.

Views & Scenery

There are wide views from the approaches and nearby tops, weather permitting, but the broad summit plateau restricts views from the trig point. Auchope Cairn is a notable viewpoint.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The origin of the name Cheviot is uncertain.

Historical Significance

Remains of a Second World War B-17 bomber lie north of the summit. The site is on rough, boggy ground and should not be treated as a straightforward extension to every summit walk.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

For Harthope Valley approaches, roadside parking is available near Langleeford around NT953225. Park considerately without blocking access. College Valley approaches usually start at Hethpool; driving beyond the Hethpool car park requires a College Valley vehicle permit.

Public Transport

Wooler can be reached by bus, including services from Alnwick. Check current connections and arrange onward travel to your chosen hill-walk start; a bus to Wooler does not take you to Langleeford.

Nearby Facilities

Wooler has shops and places to eat, with public toilets at the bus station car park. Do not rely on toilets or refreshments at the Harthope Valley roadside start. Check facility opening times before travelling.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Sudden weather changes, high winds and poor visibility require appropriate clothing and navigation skills.
  • Deep peat, boggy ground and indistinct paths can slow progress and make navigation difficult.
  • The Hen Hole and Auchope approaches include steep ground; choose a fully mapped route appropriate to your experience.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up The Cheviot?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around The Cheviot through the maps

Are there other walkers around The Cheviot?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for The Cheviot search or of course create your own walk for The Cheviot

Can I organise a walk to The Cheviot?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to The Cheviot.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up The Cheviot?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to The Cheviot here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

The Cheviot location map

Grid reference: NT907205

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

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