Creag an Lochain

The walk up Creag an Lochain from Ballater rewards you with one of those unexpected viewpoints that makes you forget how short the climb actually is. It's just over 2,000 feet, which sounds modest until you're huffing your way through heather and loose stones, but the effort pays back proper views across Deeside and towards Lochnagar.

The peak itself is small - you won't spend more than 20 minutes at the summit once you've caught your breath - but that's the point. This isn't a destination for lingering; it's about the walk and the sudden clarity of the landscape from up top. Clear days are essential; cloud closes in fast here and suddenly you're trudging through nothing much.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's perhaps a touch steep and boggy for young children, though capable teenagers will manage it fine. The route from Ballater takes roughly two hours round trip depending on your pace and how much you potter about taking photographs.

If you're staying at Braemar Caravan Park just down the road, this sits naturally into a few days exploring the area. It's not a massive undertaking, which means you can tackle it fresh in the morning and still have time for a wander through Ballater itself or pushing on to other hills in the Cairngorms. Go midweek if possible - weekends draw crowds, and that rather defeats the purpose of being out here.