Stob Bàn

The walk up Stob Bàn from Kinlochleven is one of those Scottish hill days that sneaks up on you. What looks straightforward on the map - a peaked outcrop just three miles or so south of the village - turns into proper mountaineering once you're actually on it. The route climbs steeply through moorland and rocky terrain, gaining height quickly with little mercy for the legs.

From the summit, the views stretch across the Scottish Highlands in a way that makes the slog worthwhile. On a clear day, Ben Nevis dominates to the north, and you can see right down Glen Coe to the south. The peak itself is rocky and dramatic, nothing like the rounded hills you might have tackled beforehand.

This is absolutely a walk for confident hillwalkers rather than casual strollers. Allow four to five hours return, wear proper boots, and check the weather - the weather changes fast up here. It's free, naturally, but you'll need to sort your own navigation. The scrambling near the top is manageable but exposed, so it's not the place to bring young children unprepared.

If you're camped at Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park or Blackwater Hostel, Stob Bàn makes a cracking day out that avoids the Ben Nevis crowds. Start early. The mountain demands respect, but it rewards it properly with one of the best viewpoints in the area.