Beinn Chaorach

The walk up Beinn Chaorach near Helensburgh is short enough to squeeze in before lunch yet takes you high enough that you actually feel like you've done something. It's a proper hill rather than a stroll - 608 metres of heather and rocky scramble that rewards you with sweeping views across the Firth of Clyde and back towards the Arrochar Alps.

From Helensburgh itself you're looking at a straightforward approach, and most people manage the round trip in two to three hours without breaking a sweat. The terrain's rough in places - bring proper boots, not trainers - but there's nothing technical about it. The real draw is the isolation. You won't find queues here like you do on Ben Lomond or the other honeypots further north.

It's ideal for walkers wanting a decent afternoon hike without the drive to somewhere more famous. Families with kids aged ten upwards will manage it fine, though younger legs might struggle on the boggier sections. The views alone make it worth the effort, especially on a clear day when you can pick out everything from the Kintyre peninsula to the islands beyond.

If you're based at somewhere like Inverbeg Holiday Park - just five miles away - Beinn Chaorach makes a perfect excursion without needing to travel far. The proximity to Helensburgh means you can grab supplies easily enough, though don't expect facilities on the hill itself. Go early if you want solitude, and check the weather forecast because the exposed summit gets wind.