Cruim Leacainn

The walk up Cruim Leacainn isn't long, but it feels proper rewarding. This modest Highland peak sits just outside Fort William, close enough for a half-day outing but far enough from the main roads to feel genuinely remote. The approach is straightforward - no scrambling required, though the final push steepens enough to make you work for the summit.

What you get at the top is a view across Glen Nevis and out towards Ben Nevis itself. On a clear day it's substantial; on a misty one, you're basically alone in the clouds. The real draw is how quiet it stays compared to the honeypot routes up Ben Nevis. Walkers and hill runners get the most from it - families with very young kids might find the climb a bit much for the bragging rights, but teenagers usually manage fine.

Allow roughly two to three hours return from the car park, depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top. There's no charge and no facilities, so bring water and something to eat. The ground can be boggy in places after rain, so proper footwear matters.

If you're camping at Ben Nevis Holiday Park or Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park - both just a few miles away - this makes a brilliant morning walk before heading into Fort William for lunch. It's the sort of hill that doesn't sound like much until you've done it, then you wonder why more people aren't up here.