Creag Ghorm

The walk up Creag Ghorm isn't long, but it packs a proper punch. From Ballachulish, you're looking at a straightforward ascent that takes most people two to three hours return - nothing brutal, just steady climbing through Scottish hillside that gets better the higher you go.

What makes it worth your while is the view across Loch Leven and towards the Glen Coe massif. On a clear day, which admittedly doesn't happen every week in the Highlands, you're looking at one of those vistas that reminds you why people hike in Scotland despite the midges. The peak itself is modest in height but the exposure feels generous, and you genuinely feel like you've gone somewhere rather than just trudged uphill.

Families with reasonably fit kids aged eight-plus will manage it fine. The path is mostly straightforward, though you'll want decent boots - this is Scottish hillwalking, not a ramble. Solo walkers and small groups get the most from it; it's not the sort of place you'll be queuing or jostling for photos.

It's free, naturally, and there's no time of year that's off-limits, though spring through early autumn beats the winter slog. If you're camping nearby - and both Invercoe and Red Squirrel sit within easy striking distance - this makes an excellent half-day outing that doesn't require a full Glen Coe commitment. Worth the detour if you're in the area, though it's not a reason on its own to make the journey north.