Finbracken Hill

The walk up Finbracken Hill takes you straight out of Dunoon and into proper hill country without faffing about. It's not a massive peak - you're looking at roughly an hour to the top if you're moving at a steady pace - but the views back down the Cowal Peninsula are absolutely worth the effort. On a clear day you can see right across the Firth of Clyde.

You start from the town side and the path's reasonably well-trodden, though it gets a bit steeper as you climb. Walkers who fancy something between a gentle stroll and a serious mountain hike will find this hits the sweet spot. It's also the sort of walk that doesn't demand specialist kit - trainers are fine if conditions are dry, though the ground can be boggy after rain. Allow a couple of hours if you're not rushing and want to sit at the top with a flask.

Families with older kids will enjoy it; younger ones might struggle with the slog back down. History buffs won't find ruins or ancient stones here - this is pure landscape, and that's precisely why you'd come. The nearby holiday parks like Hunters Quay and The Secret Glen Campsite are close enough that you could base yourself there and tackle Finbracken as a half-day expedition. It's the kind of walk that clears your head after a morning around the caravan or tent.