Cnoc an Tiumpain

The walk up Cnoc an Tiumpain from Aviemore is a proper little brute - 2,497 feet of relentless uphill that rewards you with views across the Cairngorms that'll make you forget your burning legs. On a clear day, you can see for miles across the high plateau, with the Spey Valley spreading out below like a map someone's dropped on the floor. The summit itself is rocky and windswept, the kind of place where you actually feel like you've earned something rather than just walked up a grassy slope.

Walkers will get the most from this one - it's not a casual stroll, and families with small kids might find the ascent tedious without the payoff of a notable ridge or distinctive peak to aim for. Allow a solid four to five hours for the round trip if you're at moderate fitness. There's no café at the top, obviously, so pack a flask and some snacks. The moorland terrain can be boggy in places, particularly after rain, so proper boots are non-negotiable.

If you're staying at Dalraddy Holiday Park - just a few miles south - this makes an excellent half-day expedition before heading back for dinner. The park's position near Aviemore means you've got plenty of other walks and outdoor stuff nearby, but Cnoc an Tiumpain itself is worth the drive if weather's favourable. Go early to dodge afternoon cloud cover rolling in from the west.