Pitfichie Hill

The walk up Pitfichie Hill takes you straight into proper Aberdeenshire countryside - rolling farmland that opens up the further you climb. It's not a dramatic peak, more a steady trudge through moorland with decent views across the Dee Valley once you've earned your place at the top. The hill sits right on the village's doorstep, which means you can be scrambling up within minutes of arriving.

This one suits walkers who want a quick leg-stretch rather than a full day expedition. Forty-five minutes up, the same down - nothing too strenuous, though the ground can be boggy after rain. The views aren't going to stop you in your tracks, but they're pleasant enough, and on a clear day you'll see across to the Cairngorms in the distance.

Family groups with young kids might find the muddy sections a bit tedious, and there's not much at the summit itself - no shelter, no facilities. What you get is a solid local walk that beats the more crowded tourist spots. Free, obviously, since it's a hillside.

If you're staying at Haughton Holiday Park five miles away, this makes a reasonable morning circuit before heading off elsewhere. It's the sort of walk that locals do without fanfare - not Instagram-worthy, but genuinely useful for burning off energy before lunch.