Clachnaben

The walk up Clachnaben is a proper lung-buster, but worth every gasping breath. This 589-metre granite peak sits just inland from Banchory, and on a clear day you can see right across Royal Deeside to the Cairngorms beyond. The trail climbs steeply through woodland before opening onto moorland - about 45 minutes to the summit if you're reasonably fit, though the actual scramble at the top requires a bit of hand-over-hand work on the rocky sections.

What makes it special isn't the altitude - there are higher hills all round - but the view down to the Dee valley and the sheer stoniness of the place. The exposed granite tor at the top feels prehistoric, and on quieter days you'll have it to yourself. It's a half-day outing, really: two hours up and down if you're steady, three if you take it easy and linger on the summit.

This works brilliantly for families with older kids or keen hill walkers who fancy something less serious than tackling the bigger Cairngorms peaks. Bring proper boots though - it gets boggy on the approach and loose underfoot near the top. The nearest accommodation is Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages, just 2.4 miles away, which makes it a logical morning or afternoon excursion alongside exploring the Deeside area. Feughside Caravan Park is a touch further afield but equally convenient. Free to walk, open year-round, though winter conditions can make the top treacherous.