Càrn Dubh

The walk up Càrn Dubh from Pitlochry is a proper leg-stretcher without being unnecessarily brutal. You're climbing to just under 700 metres, which means the Perthshire landscape spreads out below you in stages as you gain height. The path itself is straightforward enough - nothing technical, though it does get steep in places and the final push to the summit cairn will test your thighs if you've not done much hillwalking.

What makes it worthwhile is the vantage point. On a clear day you're looking across Strathay towards the higher peaks, and Pitlochry sits surprisingly far below once you're up there. The walk takes most of a morning if you're taking it steady, so budget three hours return at a reasonable pace. There's no café at the top - this isn't that kind of hill - so bring water and something to eat.

Families with teenagers keen on walking will get more from this than younger kids. It's the sort of summit that rewards the effort without requiring serious mountaineering skills or rock scrambling. Solo walkers and fell runners both seem to use it regularly.

Stay based at Milton Of Fonab Caravan Park or Faskally Woods Holiday Park - both are within five kilometres - and you've got this on your doorstep for a morning adventure. Pair it with whatever else draws you to the area, or simply use it as your daily constitutional when you're based in Pitlochry for a week.