Craig Ferrar

The walk up Craig Ferrar from Aboyne is a proper leg-stretcher, but you're rewarded with something proper special at the top. It's not the highest peak in Aberdeenshire by a long shot, but the views across the Dee Valley and into the Cairngorms make the climb worthwhile. On a clear day, you can see for miles - the kind of vista that makes you understand why people move to the Highlands and never leave.

The route itself takes most walkers between an hour and ninety minutes depending on fitness, and it's accessible enough for anyone with reasonable boots and a bit of determination. There's nothing technical about it, though it's steep enough in places to keep your heart honest. Families with older kids will manage fine, though younger ones might find it a slog on the way back down.

Going mid-week is the move if you want to avoid the weekend crowds. Early autumn is cracking - the light hits differently, and the midges have mostly buggered off. Start early and you'll have the summit more or less to yourself.

If you're based at Firbank Park or Aboyne Loch Caravan Park - both just down the road - this makes an excellent half-day outing. It'll scratch that hiking itch without requiring a full expedition day. Worth combining with a wander around Aboyne village itself, which has decent shops and cafes for post-walk recovery.