Clachcurr

The walk up Clachcurr from Strathdon is a cracker if you're after something steep but not brutally long. You're looking at a proper hill rather than a mountain - the kind of climb that gets your heart going without needing full Alpine kit. The views across Aberdeenshire once you're up there justify the effort: rolling glens, the Cairngorms hanging on the horizon, and on a clear day you can pick out settlements miles away that seem impossibly distant from the valley.

This isn't a destination for dawdlers. Walkers and serious hillwalkers will get the most from it - families with young kids might find the ascent frustrating rather than fun, though teenagers keen to prove themselves will love it. Allow a solid two to three hours depending on fitness and how often you stop for breath.

There's no visitor facility to speak of, so come prepared with water and something to eat. The peak itself is fairly exposed, so check the weather before you head out. Winter makes it considerably more technical.

Camp at Cairngorms Glamping & Campsite just four miles away and you've got the perfect base for tackling Clachcurr without the long drive home. It sits well within a wider Aberdeenshire walking itinerary if you're spending a week in the area. The real advantage is that it's far less crowded than the bigger Cairngorms peaks, so you get proper solitude and decent light for photos.