Thornygreue

The climb up Thornygreue isn't long, but it's steep enough to catch your breath. From Castle Douglas, you're looking at a proper leg-stretcher rather than a full day commitment - most walkers will manage the ascent and back in under two hours. The views across Dumfries and Galloway flatten out nicely once you're up there, rolling farmland and distant hills stretching towards the horizon. On a clear day you can see reasonably far, though don't expect alpine drama.

This works well if you're based at Loch Ken Holiday Park and fancy a brisk morning walk before heading down to the water. It's not a destination on its own unless you're genuinely keen on ticking off local peaks, but combined with the loch itself - just a couple of miles away - it slots into a proper countryside day. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find the gradient tiresome on the way up.

The terrain is fairly standard Scottish hill walking: rough grass, some boggy patches depending on recent weather. Proper boots are the smart choice. Go in decent visibility - there's not much shelter up there and the views are half the point. Free to walk, obviously. Time it for an afternoon if you're staying locally; you'll have the slope to yourself and avoid any morning crowds from the park.