Bad Each

Bad Each sits at 652 metres, a proper Highland peak that catches you off guard with how rewarding it is for the effort. The walk from Grantown-on-Spey takes a couple of hours there and back, climbing steadily through open moorland before the summit opens up into genuinely sweeping views across the Cairngorms. On a clear day you're looking at ridge after ridge stretching into the distance - it's the kind of view that makes you forget about the climb.

This isn't a dramatic scramble or a technical ascent. It's a solid hillwalk, best tackled in decent weather when the paths are dry. Most people allow three to four hours return, depending on fitness. The terrain is straightforward enough for reasonably experienced walkers, though it's not the sort of thing you'd take very young children on without careful planning.

What makes Bad Each work is exactly what makes the wider Cairngorms special - isolation and space. You won't find crowds here like you might on Ben Nevis or the more famous peaks. The landscape feels raw and properly mountainous without being intimidating.

If you're based at Grantown on Spey Caravan Park, Bad Each is within a reasonable drive and fits perfectly into a Highland walking holiday. The town itself has decent facilities, so you can grab supplies before heading out. Go on a morning when the visibility is good - there's no point battling up here in mist.