Beinn Tharsuinn

The walk up Beinn Tharsuinn from Helensburgh is proper straightforward - nothing technical, nothing that'll leave you knackered, but the views across the Clyde and towards Ben Lomond make it well worth the climb. It's a Corbett rather than a heavyweight peak, so you're looking at roughly two hours up and back depending on pace.

What makes this one tick is the contrast. Start from sea level near Helensburgh and you're genuinely above the Firth within an hour, which gives that satisfying sense of elevation without the full mountain commitment. The path is clear most of the way, though boggy sections appear after heavy rain - sensible footwear isn't optional here.

Families with kids aged eight and up will manage it fine. Younger ones might struggle with the sustained gradient towards the summit, but there's no scrambling or exposure to worry about. Solo walkers and couples get the best value - quiet and peaceful, with decent wildflower meadows in late spring.

Base yourself at Inverbeg Holiday Park or Rosneath Castle Caravan Park and you're perfectly placed for this as a half-day mission. Neither park is far from Helensburgh, so combining it with coastal walks or exploring the nearby hills becomes straightforward.

Go on a clear day - otherwise you'll miss the payoff. When visibility's good, you're rewarded with views that genuinely justify the effort. Midweek in late May or early June beats the weekends hands down.