Earlside

The walk up Earlside takes about ninety minutes from Moffat, and it's a proper straightforward climb with decent views across the Lowlands. You're looking at moorland, open sky, and the kind of landscape that makes you feel like you've actually left civilization behind - no crowds, no visitor centre, just a Scottish hill doing what it does.

What you get from the top is honest rather than spectacular. On a clear day you can see across to the Solway Firth and down into Annandale, which is worth the effort. The paths are generally well-maintained, though it can be boggy in places after rain, and the wind picks up significantly once you're above the tree line.

This suits walkers who know what they're after - steady legs, good boots, and no expectation of a café at the summit. It's not the sort of thing that'll hold kids' interest for long, but teenagers with some stamina won't be bored. The nearest accommodation at Howslack Farm and Moffat Camping sites puts you within half an hour's drive, making it an easy morning or afternoon outing during a caravan holiday in the area.

Go early if you can. The main draw is solitude and the Lowland views, neither of which hold up well when it's busy. Free, obviously - it's a hill. The real cost is the weather forecast prediction before you set out.