Lary Hill

The walk up Lary Hill rewards you with views across the Cairngorms that justify the scramble. It's not a massive peak - barely over 600 metres - but what it lacks in height it makes up for in position. You get the Deeside valley laid out beneath you, with Ballater a tidy cluster down below and the big mountains beyond doing their thing on the horizon.

The ascent takes around 45 minutes from the car park, following a clear path that gets steeper towards the top. It's straightforward rather than technical, though the final bit can be boggy depending on rainfall. Families with reasonably fit kids will manage it without complaint. If you've got youngsters still in buggies, this isn't your walk.

What makes Lary Hill practical is its proximity to Ballater. You're looking at a couple of hours total including the walk and time to stand about taking photos, so it slots neatly into an afternoon. There's no entrance fee and no fixed opening hours - just turn up and go. The route works year-round, though winter snow can make it trickier.

If you're staying at Howe of Torbeg or Ballater Caravan Park, you could knock this off before breakfast without it eating into your day. It's the kind of walk that feels substantial without demanding a full commitment. Cairngorms Glamping is close enough too if you want something with more bells on. Nothing spectacular, but entirely honest ground with proper views.