Cruach Dubh

The walk up Cruach Dubh from Alexandria is a proper hill rather than a mountain, and that's precisely why it works so well. You're looking at roughly an hour to the summit if you're moving at a reasonable pace, with the reward being unexpectedly broad views across Loch Lomond and into the Trossachs beyond. The terrain is straightforward - a mix of moorland and rocky sections that won't test serious hillwalkers but feels properly satisfying for families or anyone wanting a morning out without committing to a full day in the hills.

The view itself justifies the effort. On a clear day you can trace the loch's length and pick out Ben Lomond rising in the distance. It's not about dramatic scrambling or exposure - just solid, honest walking with a decent payoff. Walkers and day-trippers from Glasgow get it done as a lunchtime venture, while families find the duration manageable without small legs getting miserable halfway up.

If you're based at Milarrochy Bay or Inverbeg Holiday Park - both excellent sites within a few miles - Cruach Dubh makes an ideal morning activity before heading down to the loch for the afternoon. The walk starts easily enough from the valley floor, and there's something appealing about finishing breakfast at your caravan and being on the summit by mid-morning. Allow around two and a half hours if you're taking your time, including the descent. The weather here changes quickly, so go early and go prepared. Free to walk, obviously. No facilities at the summit, but that's part of the appeal.