Sgor Chalum

The walk up Sgor Chalum is a proper hill, not some gentle ramble, but if you're staying at Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park or Ben Nevis Holiday Park, it's worth the graft. This peak sits in the Highland mountains east of Fort William, and what you get at the top is genuine mountain air and views that stretch across the Lochaber landscape without the tourist crush of Ben Nevis itself.

It's a serious walker's hill rather than a family stroll. Most people allow four to five hours for the round trip, depending on fitness and how long you want to linger on the summit. The path isn't waymarked throughout, so you'll need a map and a head for navigation - it's not the sort of place to wing it on a whim. Weather changes fast up here, so respect the mountain and turn back if conditions turn rough.

What makes Sgor Chalum worth the effort is precisely that it's less crowded than its famous neighbours. You won't be queuing for views or fighting for space at the top. On a clear day you can see proper distance - the sort of vista that reminds you why you drove all the way to the Scottish Highlands in the first place. Early morning starts work well if you're camped nearby, and you're back in time for a proper brew before the afternoon wind picks up. Not one for the casual visitor, but for keen hillwalkers it delivers without the circus.