Geal-chàrn Mòr

The walk up Geal-chàrn Mòr is properly rewarding, even if the mountain itself won't win any beauty contests. From Aviemore, it's a straightforward slog to this 1049-metre peak in the Highlands - nothing technical, just solid moorland going and your legs doing the work. The real payoff comes at the top. You're looking out over the Cairngorms plateau with Glen Feshie dropping away beneath you, and on a clear day that view across to Ben Macdui and the high plateau is genuinely something. It takes most people around three to four hours up and back from the glen approach, so a good morning's work rather than an all-dayer.

Families with teenagers and decent walkers will get proper value out of this. Younger kids might find it a bit relentless without much in the way of viewpoint surprises until you reach the summit. The moorland can be boggy depending on the season - spring and early summer are your best bets for drier ground. There's no café, no visitor centre, no charge. It's just the mountain and you.

Pair it with a stay at Dalraddy Holiday Park over in Alvie, just a few miles south. You'll have everything you need for a week of Cairngorms exploring without the hassle of fighting for space in Aviemore itself. The park's well-positioned for tackling nearby peaks or just pottering about the glens. Geal-chàrn Mòr works best as part of a longer walking plan rather than a standalone visit - it's a solid day out, nothing more.