Stob a' Ghrianain

The walk up Stob a' Ghrianain from Fort William is proper steep, but the effort pays off in spades. You're climbing to around 1100 metres on what's essentially the eastern sentinel of the Ben Nevis massif, and on a clear day the views back down Glen Nevis and across to the Mamores will stop you in your tracks.

It's a serious hike rather than a casual stroll - most walkers allow four to five hours return, and you need decent boots and an early start. The path itself can be boggy lower down and exposed higher up, so check the weather before you commit. Summer's your best bet when the days are long and the midges less vicious.

This one's for mountain enthusiasts and experienced hill walkers. If you're thinking of bringing the family, your kids need to be confident on steep terrain and genuinely keen on the outdoors. An hour in and they'll be nowhere near the views that make this worthwhile.

Stay at Linnhe Lochside Holidays or Ben Nevis Holiday Park both within a few miles of town, and you've got the perfect base. Fort William itself has everything you need - decent food, shops, and easier walks if the mountain legs need a rest day. The peak's free to climb, naturally, being Scottish mountain country. Just allow a full day and pack more layers than you think you'll need.