Geal-charn Beag

The walk up Geal-charn Beag is straightforward enough, but don't mistake that for uninteresting. This modest peak sits just outside Aviemore, making it ideal if you're staying at Dalraddy Holiday Park and fancy a half-day outing without committing to a full alpine expedition.

You're looking at roughly 500 metres of ascent across open moorland. The path is well-trodden and the views back towards the Cairngorms are genuinely worth the effort - on a clear day, you can pick out Braeriach and Cairn Toul looming beyond. The real charm, though, is the solitude. Plenty of walkers flock to the bigger names nearby, which means Geal-charn Beag often feels refreshingly quiet.

Allow two to three hours for the round trip, depending on pace and how long you linger at the summit. The terrain suits most reasonably fit walkers; families with older kids will manage without drama. Younger children might find the exposed moorland a bit relentless on the way up.

The summit itself is functional rather than dramatic - a cairn and a wide-open landscape rather than dramatic rocky fanfare. But that's rather the point. This isn't the Instagram-ready peak; it's the sort of walk that leaves you feeling like you've actually earned your afternoon, without the queues. Brilliant as a warm-up if you're building up to bigger Cairngorm ventures, or as a proper little challenge if you're not one for scrambling and exposure.