Ben Newe

Ben Newe rises 2,437 feet above Strathdon in the Cairngorms, and on a clear day the walk up rewards you with views that stretch across half the Scottish Highlands. It's not the most famous peak in the range - that privilege belongs to Ben Macdhui and Braeriach - but it's far less crowded, which is precisely why you should go.

The approach from Strathdon is straightforward enough, though "straightforward" in Scottish hill-walking terms still means boggy terrain and proper ascent. Budget three to four hours for a round trip if you're moderately fit. The summit itself is unremarkable - a cairn and not much else - but the isolation makes it special. You're out here with maybe a handful of other walkers, not queuing for photos like you would elsewhere.

Walkers will get the most from this one. Families with young children might find it a slog; the payoff isn't instant gratification. History enthusiasts won't find much cultural material up here, just geology and the odd golden eagle if you're lucky.

If you're staying at Cairngorms Glamping & Campsite nearby - a solid five-star option just under three miles away - Ben Newe makes an excellent half-day excursion between exploring Cairngorms National Park proper. There's no visitor centre, no facilities at the summit, and no admission fee. Go in decent weather; fog rolls in fast up here and renders the walk considerably less rewarding.