Bonlee Hill

The walk up Bonlee Hill rewards you with views that stretch across Aberdeenshire's rolling moorland - proper Highland scenery without needing to tackle a proper mountain. It's a modest peak by Cairngorms standards, but that's rather the point. You get the elevation gain and the sense of achievement without spending half your day huffing uphill.

The approach from Strathdon is straightforward enough. Most people manage the round trip in a couple of hours, making it ideal if you're based at one of the nearby campsites and fancy stretching your legs without committing to a full day's expedition. The terrain is typical Scottish hill country - heather, rough grass, and the occasional boggy patch that catches you unawares. Proper boots recommended.

Walkers will find this genuinely worthwhile. Families with older kids can handle it too, though younger ones might grumble about the climb. On a clear day the views justify the effort; on a grey one, you're paying your money for the walk itself rather than the vista.

If you're staying at Cairngorms Glamping & Campsite or Tarland Camping & Caravanning Club Site - both well-reviewed spots within striking distance - Bonlee Hill makes a logical half-day outing. It slots neatly between exploring the wider Cairngorms area and simply pottering about the campsite. Free to access, and that's one less thing to budget for.