Croft Head

The walk up Croft Head from Moffat is a proper leg-stretcher, and on a clear day it rewards you with views across the Southern Uplands that make the climb worthwhile. It's not a monster peak - around 550 metres - but the path can be boggy and the gradient unforgiving in places, so don't underestimate it.

This is walker country through and through. You'll need decent boots and an hour or so to get up and back down, maybe longer if you're taking your time. The summit itself is fairly modest - no dramatic crags or cairn to photograph - but the sense of space up there is genuinely lovely, and on weekends you'll often have the hill mostly to yourself.

Families with young children might find it a bit of a slog; teenagers who like a proper challenge will get more from it. History buffs won't find much at the top, but the Southern Uplands have their own austere character, and walkers appreciate that.

It's free, naturally - no gates or fees. Best tackled in dry weather when the ground isn't completely waterlogged. If you're based at Moffat Camping and Caravanning Club Site or any of the other holiday parks within five miles, this works as a half-day excursion. Fits well with exploring the Moffat Hills more broadly. The town itself has cafes and a decent chip shop for afterwards, which is never unwelcome after a muddy walk.