The line of hills that stretches in a north westerly direction from the small town of Wooler, on the edge of the Northumberland National Park, appears to stand guard against intruders from the north. They are not big hills, but when viewed from the flat plain of Milfield they cry out to be climbed. These are hills that bear the remnants of long gone habitations, where the earth beneath your feet is stained with the blood of ancient battles. These hills carry the heavy burden of history.  They rise and fall along the exposed edge of the Cheviot Hills and, when joined together in a single walk, Humbleton Hill, Harehope Hill, Akeld Hill and Yeavering Bell will stretch your legs and expand your lungs. So stiffen the sinews and step out into the past.

2. Leave the summit cairn by heading towards the edge of the ravine on the southern side of the hill. Follow the path which heads downwards alongside the ravine and, on reaching the bottom, cross over the step stile. On the 14^th September 1402 this area was the scene of the Battle of Homildon Hill. The Scots, led by Archibald, Earl of Douglas, were returning from a raid in Northumberland when they were intercepted by the Earl of Northumberland and his son Harry Hotspur, accompanied by a force of English archers. The archers were in Monday Cleugh, directly opposite the stile, when they rained a devastating shower of arrows on the Scots who were standing on the slopes of Humbleton Hill. The Scots were soundly defeated and news of the battle is immortalised in Shakespeare`s play, `Henry IV`. You are now heading towards Harehope Hill and you will need to pick your way through the bracken as you aim for the dry stone wall, below you to the north west (NT 961285). In the dip, immediately before the wall is reached, you will need to cross a post and wire fence before passing through the wall via a gate. The unmistakable rocky cleft of Monday Cleugh is a meltwater channel dating from the end of the last Ice Age and most certainly has an ancient aura.

4. Retrace your steps to the col and continue straight ahead to the 254 metre top of Akeld Hill. There are a number of historical sites in the proximity of this hill, including traces of at least three medieval shielings, which were temporary settlements used by shepherds grazing their flocks on upland pastures. Leave Akeld Hill in a south westerly direction, crossing the neck of land leading to White Law, your next objective, and en route you will pass the sites of some of these remnants of an earlier age. Continue towards the dry stone wall which climbs steeply up the slopes of White Law and in a very short while you will reach the barely noticeable summit (NT 942290). This is the highest point of the walk so far and you will enjoy extensive, wide open views towards many of the higher Cheviot Hills. There is a sense of great emptiness on this wind blown hill. To the north of this spot are traces of a prehistoric settlement consisting of a roughly square enclosure standing close to a cluster of building foundations. Cross over the wall, via a ladder stile, and head in a westerly direction towards the prominent hill of Yeavering Bell. The route is across generally pathless terrain, although occasionally a faint track will be picked up heading in the general direction. On reaching the base of the hill, where you climb across a post and wire fence, you will have to find the best way up the steep hillside. By heading to your right and winding your way upwards, via sheep traces, the going should be slightly easier.

6. Cut straight across the track and clamber over the ladder stile to pick up a narrow path, which begins to contour the hillside before turning to climb sharply towards flatter and higher ground. There is the occasional marker post. As you rise, take your time to look behind and you will have good views down towards the College Valley and the tiny settlement of Hethpool. Once the flatter ground is reached you will need to follow the path which bends to your right and heads the short distance to the obvious rocky Easter Tor (NT 915281). If you are lucky, you may catch sight of the shy feral Cheviot goats which have roamed these hills for centuries. The prominent Easter Tor forms part of the larger Newton Tors, the 537 metre high summit of which lies one mile to the south west. In 1904 a Bronze Age axe was found hidden among some stones on Easter Tor, whilst on the lower reaches of the north west slope there is evidence of a Roman Period settlement. Once you have taken in the views you must retrace your steps back to the track of St. Cuthbert`s Way keeping your eyes peeled all the while for those elusive goats.

8. Head back to the main track and continue on your way. Once through the five-bar gate and just before the track begins to drop downhill, it is time to claim your final hill of the day. To you right stands Coldberry Hill and you will need to cut across gently rising ground to reach the summit cairn (NT 968275). There are fine views down to Wooler and across to Humbleton Hill. A number of historic sites have been discovered on this small hill, including a pre-historic field system and a Roman Period settlement. Leave the hill by a direct line, in a north easterly direction, to rejoin the track which now continues all the way downhill to the tiny hamlet of Humbleton. Enjoy the easy `ride home`, after all it has been a fairly tough day in the hills.