Carn Mòr

The walk up Carn Mòr from Aviemore is properly straightforward, which makes it a decent shout if you're staying in the area and fancy something without the big mountain commitment. It's not Cairngorm itself - you won't find the crowds or the ski infrastructure - but from the top you get genuine views across the Spey Valley and into the wider Highlands. Takes a couple of hours round trip depending on your pace and where you start from.

The path is well-maintained enough for most fitness levels, though it does climb steadily toward the end. Winter can be a different beast entirely, so summer and early autumn are your best bets. You'll spot a decent mix of hikers here - families with older kids, local runners doing loops, walkers using it as a warm-up before tackling bigger peaks nearby.

If you're based at Dalraddy Holiday Park just down the road, this makes an ideal half-day venture. You can be up and back before lunch without eating into your afternoon plans. The real value is that it doesn't feel like a tourist trap - you're walking with people who actually live here rather than queuing at a viewpoint. The views themselves are solid rather than spectacular, but there's something satisfying about bagging a peak that rewards you without demanding your entire day. Worth doing if the weather's decent, worth skipping if rain's moving in.