Creag a Ghreusaiche

The walk up Creag a Ghreusaiche isn't long, but it's relentless. Starting from near Aviemore, you'll gain height fast through mixed woodland before the views open up properly. Once you're on top, the Cairngorms sprawl out in front of you - proper dramatic stuff, especially on a clear day when you can see for miles across the plateau.

It's a cracking spot for walkers who don't want to commit to a full mountain day but still want something with teeth. The climb takes around two hours each way depending on your pace, and the ground underfoot can be boggy in patches, so decent boots matter. The summit itself sits at 884 metres, which means you're high enough to feel you've earned it without needing specialist kit.

Families with older kids will manage it fine. Younger ones might find the steeper sections tedious, though the woodland section keeps things visually interesting. History buffs won't find much here - it's purely about the walking and the landscape. Clear weather is everything on this one. Mist rolls in fast in the Highlands, and when it does, you're stumbling about on a hillside with limited views. Pick your day carefully.

Stay at Dalraddy Holiday Park, just five miles away near Alvie, and you've got yourself a perfect afternoon outing. It's the sort of walk that justifies a park holiday in Aviemore - hard enough to feel proper, short enough to fit between breakfast and dinner. Free to walk, naturally.