Ward Hill

The walk up Ward Hill from Lochwinnoch takes you through proper Lowland countryside without the dramatics of the Highlands. It's not a brutal slog - the path climbs steadily through mixed woodland before opening out to moorland with views across to the Clyde Valley and beyond. Allow two to three hours for the round trip if you're taking it easy.

This suits walkers who want a decent leg-stretch without needing technical kit or half the day. The summit itself sits at 405 metres - nothing that'll make your calves scream, but enough to feel like you've achieved something. On clear days you get sightlines toward Ailsa Craig and the hills beyond Ayrshire. The views are genuine rather than showy, which is rather the appeal.

It's free to walk, obviously, and you can start from the village itself. The terrain is variable - decent underfoot in dry weather, but boggy patches appear after rain, so check conditions beforehand. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find the moorland section a bit tedious once the novelty wears off.

Lochwinnoch itself is a wee village with a few cafes and the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park nearby if you're combining walks. If you're based at The Pods at Auchenhean just down the road, this makes an excellent morning outing before settling back for the afternoon. Don't expect crowds - that's precisely why it's worth doing.