Simonside

"Went to the Simonside Hills again with Drew! It was a hot sunny day with only a little cloud coverage. The view of the Cheviots was so clear, which was incredible to see. We walked from Rothbury to the Simonside car park, then all the way to Tosson Hill via Beacon, Dove Crag and Simonside. We walked back to the road below Simonside and did a brief 25 minute jog along the road and partly up the path on the way back up the hill, walking back to where it joins the path on the hills in between Dove Crag and Beacon (close to the Dove Crag cairn). We descended from there via Beacon and walked back to Rothbury. This is the longest amount of time we've spent in the hills and it was a great day (except for some unexpected bad spots of sunburn). Can't wait to go back and challenge myself again, maybe with some more jogging, a time challenge or by summiting one of the nearby smaller peaks. " — mariamarsbar • Jun 22, 2022

"Fourth time going to Simonside! (02/12/21) It was the first time (and only time so far) going in winter, and it was icy and very slippery. We had hoped to go to Tossen Hill but only made it as far as Ravens Heugh, since the ice slowed us down, but it was cool to go a bit further than Simonside. A couple of things went wrong on the day, for example on the way back I slipped and sprained my ankle and achilles. Of course we didn't want to risk hurting it more so we had to get a taxi back to Rothbury from the car park. Despite the things that went wrong, we still had a good day, treating ourselves to a much deserved take out in the evening! " — mariamarsbar • Dec 2, 2021

"Winter Walk. From Rothbury went south towards Garleigh Moor and via The Beacon and Dove Crag. Snow and Ice on the route, practiced with Ice axe in some parts to keep me steady." — danieltheedrew • Jan 10, 2016

"A short trip up our nearest peak to try some new lightweight boots. The weather was warm and cloudy, but dry. We set off from the moorland car park, walked up onto the ridge and walked west over the 3 lower summits, before getting to the main summit above the crags at the far west end of the ridge. Here we had a short break, before heading back the same route, over all of the minor summits. Unfortunately the new boots although generally comfortable, rubbed the skin off one of my toes." — davidlong • Jul 3, 2012

"We had a few hours, so a trip to our nearest hill for some exercise. Parked at the moorland car park at Lordenshaws and walked up onto the ridge. Walked over all of the summits to the western end at Simonside, then dropped steeply down to the forest track and returned on the lower path." — davidlong • Feb 14, 2012

"A cold wet December day, with a forecast of more snow. Our drive to the startpoint was blocked by fallen trees from yesterdays storm. We drove around to the the forest car park and noticed the low cloud on the hills. We ascended through the forest to the pass between Simonside and Tosson Hill . There we examined the notice board, which gives details of the old legends relating to this place. We then ascended to the main summit by the footpath through the crags. I have some photos of a previous ascent of this hill on the longest day sunset, when the sun reaches a point creating a sunburst through a rock, only on the longest few days at sunset." — davidlong • Dec 14, 2011

"This is a nearby hill, which we often visit because of the easy access and fine views. On this occasion, the heather was being burnt, presumably to encourage new growth for game birds after the harsh winter. At times, the flames came very close to the path, which was surprising for a sunny Sunday, as the hill was quite busy with many families, who had to make a detour to avoid " — davidlong • Mar 6, 2011

"Mid-summers evening walk up Simonside, to see sunset and unusual sunburst, through large rock, that only happens when the sun is in alignment in the north west sky around the longest day." — davidlong • Jun 23, 2009