Baudnacauner

The walk up Baudnacauner rewards you with proper Highland views that don't require full mountaineering kit. This modest peak sits in the heart of Aberdeenshire, within reach of Aboyne, and gives you that satisfying sense of having climbed something real without needing a rope.

It's a straightforward hill walk rather than a technical scramble - the kind where you'll see families with older kids and fit dog walkers making their way up. The approach is well-trodden enough that you won't get lost, but not so busy that you'll feel like you're on a high street. On a clear day the views sweep across the Cairngorms, which is the whole point, really. Hazy days are less rewarding, so timing matters.

Allow three to four hours for the round trip if you're moving at a decent pace without rushing. It's free, obviously - this is a hill, not a theme park.

If you're based at Feughside Caravan Park or Glen Dye Cabins, both within six miles, Baudnacauner works perfectly as a morning outing. You'll be back in time for lunch and won't feel like you've wasted a holiday day on something underwhelming. The walk itself is the attraction - there's no cafe at the top, no gift shop, no interpretation boards. Just you, the hill, and the view if the weather plays ball. That's either exactly what you want or it isn't.