Carnach Mór

The walk up Carnach Mór from Cairndow is properly steep, but that's rather the point. This isn't a gentle stroll - it's a genuine hill that demands proper boots and at least two hours of your time, though fit walkers often do it faster. The reward is a sudden, expansive view across Loch Fyne that catches you every time, even if you've climbed it before. On a clear day you can see for miles across Argyll's landscape, all those rolling hills and water opening up beneath you.

It's a walker's mountain, honestly. Families with young children will struggle - the ascent is relentless and there's nowhere to sit down halfway up. But if your kids are used to proper hiking, they'll find it satisfying in a way that flat park walks simply aren't. The path itself is well-defined and doesn't require scrambling, which helps. Allow a solid half-day for this one, starting early to catch the light over the loch.

There's nothing at the top except the view and a decent cairn, so don't expect facilities. It's free, naturally. If you're staying at Drimsynie Holiday Village or Stucreoch Caravan Park - both within a few miles - this makes an excellent morning's work before lunch. The nearby Argyll Caravan Park puts you equally well-positioned. Start early, bring water, and don't attempt it in thick cloud. The mountain doesn't forgive poor visibility.