Cruach Ardrain

The climb up Cruach Ardrain from Arrochar is one of those Scottish walks that properly rewards the effort. At 884 metres, it's not a monster - you can bag it in a solid afternoon - but the path doesn't hold back, and you'll feel your legs know about it by the summit.

What makes it worth doing is the view across Loch Long on the way up, and when you top out, you're looking across to Ben Ime and the rest of the Arrochar Alps. On a clear day it's properly stunning. The descent follows a different line, which keeps things interesting rather than just retracing your steps down. Allow three to four hours return, depending on your pace and how often you stop for breath.

This is a walkers' hill, really. Families with younger kids might find it a bit relentless, and anyone after an easy stroll should look elsewhere. But if you're comfortable with some steep scrambling and don't mind getting your boots muddy, Cruach Ardrain delivers. The village of Arrochar sits right at the base, making logistics simple.

Beinglas Campsite is less than six miles away and a decent spot to base yourself for tackling this peak and a few neighbouring summits. Fair warning - the weather comes in fast up here, so pick your day carefully and start early. A misty summit is no fun when you've grafted that hard.