Little Dod

Little Dod sits just outside Moffat, a modest hill that punches above its weight if you're after a proper walk without the slog. At 2,203 feet, it's not going to leave you gasping, but the climb is steady enough to feel earned, and the views across the Lowlands are genuinely worth the effort.

You'll find the path well-trodden and straightforward. Most people manage the round trip in under two hours, which makes it ideal for families with reasonably fit kids or walkers who want something decent without committing their entire afternoon. The landscape up there is all rolling moorland and open sky - no faffing about with dense woodland or technical terrain.

Walkers will get the most out of this one. History enthusiasts might find the wider Moffat area more interesting - the town itself has some character - but Little Dod is purely about the walk and what you see from the top. On a clear day, you'll clock the Southern Uplands properly. When it's murky, well, you'll at least have had exercise.

There's no visitor centre or facilities at the peak itself, so sort yourself before you set off. Riverside Holiday Park lies just six miles south near Moffat if you're staying put for a few days. The route is free and accessible year-round, though winter can make the ground boggy. Spring or autumn is your sweet spot - fresh enough to walk at pace, clear enough to see something.