Nether Dullarg Hill

The walk up Nether Dullarg Hill won't set your pulse racing, but that's rather the point. It's a gentle ridge climb above Castle Douglas that rewards you with proper views across Dumfries and Galloway without requiring fell-runner fitness. The summit sits at 600-odd metres, which means you get that satisfying sense of height without the steep scramble.

What you actually get is moorland walking at its most accessible. The path winds through heather and gorse, and on a clear day the Solway Firth and northern Lake District hills appear in the distance. On a grey one, which is fairly common up here, you'll see as far as the mist allows and call it a decent morning out.

This works best for walkers who want something genuine without the technical faffing about - families with reasonable legs can manage it, though under-eights might find the 2-3 hour round trip tedious. History buffs won't find much drama here; it's pure landscape walking. Allow a good three hours if you're stopping for photos and sitting down with a flask, which you absolutely should.

It pairs nicely with a stay at Loch Ken Holiday Park, just a couple of miles away. You could do the hill in the morning, then mess about by the loch in the afternoon. The real win is that it feels properly remote despite being within easy reach of Castle Douglas's pubs and chip shops. No entrance fee, no booking needed - just turn up and walk. That's how it should be.