Carn Leacan Sleamhuinn

The walk up Carn Leacan Sleamhuinn is properly steep but rewards you with views across the Cairngorms that make your legs forget the climb. It's a Highland peak that doesn't get the crowds of its taller neighbours, which is exactly why you should bother with it.

This is a hike rather than a gentle stroll. Allow a good three to four hours from the base near Aviemore, depending on your fitness and how often you stop to catch your breath or take photographs. The terrain is rough in places - proper bog-trotting stuff - so good boots matter. On a clear day the panorama stretches across the plateau towards the higher peaks. When the clouds roll in, visibility drops fast, so timing your visit matters.

Walkers and hill-baggers will get the most from this one. It's not a quick family trip or something to tag on if you've only got an hour spare. But if you're staying at Dalraddy Holiday Park nearby and you've got decent weather and some hillwalking experience, it's absolutely worth the trip out.

Free to access, no booking needed, and best attempted in the warmer months when daylight stretches further. Midges can be brutal in late summer though, so time your ascent accordingly. The effort-to-reward ratio is strong here - you'll feel like you've actually accomplished something without the exhaustion of bagging the massive peaks that dominate the Cairngorms.