Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

The walk up Craigellachie is steep, properly steep, but the payoff is worth every burning calf muscle. This conical rocky outcrop rises dramatically from the Spey Valley floor near Aviemore, and once you've scrambled to the summit - takes about 40 minutes from the car park - you're rewarded with views across the Cairngorms that'll make you forget how knackered you are.

It's a nature reserve, so you're walking through Caledonian pine forest with genuine chances of spotting wildlife. Red squirrels, golden eagles, the lot. The rocky pinnacle itself is the real draw though. At the top, you get 360-degree views that stretch for miles - proper Highland scenery, not some Instagram-friendly postcard nonsense.

This works brilliantly for fit families and serious walkers. Younger kids might struggle with the scramble at the end, and it's definitely not a leisurely stroll. Allow two hours return, maybe three if you're taking photographs. Go early to avoid crowds - it's popular for good reason.

If you're staying at Highland Glen or Dalraddy, both within a few miles of Aviemore, Craigellachie makes an excellent half-day excursion. It's free to visit, which helps. The walk itself is the whole experience - no visitor centre, no facilities, just forest and rock and views. That's actually rather refreshing.