Beinn a' Choin

The walk up Beinn a' Choin from Arrochar is straightforward enough, but the mountain doesn't give up its views without some proper effort. You're looking at roughly two hours to the summit if you've got decent legs, starting from the car park near Succoth and heading into the Glen Kinglas valley. The path climbs steadily through moorland before opening onto the ridge, where on a clear day you get proper panoramic views across the Arrochar Alps and down Loch Long to the Clyde beyond.

It's a walker's mountain rather than a casual stroll - bring decent boots and check the weather forecast because cloud can roll in fast and flatten the whole experience. The ridge itself is dramatic rather than technical, though it demands respect. You'll see the Munros of Ben Vane and Ben Vorlich dominating the skyline, which puts Beinn a' Choin in perspective - it's a solid warm-up peak or a day out in its own right, depending on your fitness level.

Families with older kids will manage it without fuss. Younger children will find the descent harder than the climb. Allow four to five hours return including a summit break, and go early to bag a parking spot - it gets busy on weekends. If you're camping at Loch Lomond Holiday Park or Beinglas Campsite, this is an excellent half-day outing that doesn't require a car journey down the A82. Free to climb, obviously, and the best views come in autumn when the light's cleaner.