Craig Lea

The walk up Craig Lea from Perth takes you through proper Perthshire countryside without needing to venture far from town. It's not dramatic - no jagged peaks or exposed ridges - but the summit rewards you with views across the Tay valley that make the climb worthwhile. On a clear day you can pick out the Ochil Hills and beyond. Most people manage it in under two hours there and back, which makes it ideal if you've got limited time but fancy some air and movement.

The route is straightforward, mostly woodland lower down then opens out as you gain height. You won't encounter scrambling or anything technical. Families with teenagers would find it manageable; younger kids might find it a bit of a slog depending on their mood. It's not the sort of walk that grabs you by the collar - you won't find yourself thinking about it months later - but it's solid. A decent leg-stretcher after a day at Luxury Hideaways, which sits just outside Perth and makes a comfortable base for exploring the area.

Go midweek if you can. Weekends bring more traffic, and the appeal here is relative solitude rather than spectacle. Summer is fine, though autumn gets the colours right. Winter can be muddy, which makes the ascent less pleasant. There's no visitor infrastructure on the hill itself - no café or facilities - so bring what you need. It costs nothing and takes as long as you take it. Worth a morning or afternoon if you're in the region, particularly if you've got restless legs and don't want to stray far from Perth.