Craig of Prony

The walk up Craig of Prony isn't long, but it's steep enough to make you feel like you've earned the view. From Ballater, it's barely twenty minutes to the car park, then you're looking at a proper climb through mixed woodland before the trees open out onto moorland. The summit itself is modest - rocky, windswept, nothing fancy - but the panorama across Deeside is genuinely excellent. On a clear day you can see right across to the Cairngorms, and the valley below spreads out like someone's drawn it with a ruler.

It's the sort of walk that rewards hikers and outdoor types without demanding anything too technical. Fit families will manage it fine, though young kids might find the steep sections tedious rather than thrilling. Allow ninety minutes return if you're not rushing, longer if you want to sit about and soak it in. The ground can be boggy after rain - proper boots are non-negotiable.

Worth doing if you're staying at Howe of Torbeg or Ballater Caravan Park, both just a couple of miles away. It slots nicely into a morning before heading out to explore the rest of Deeside, or as an afternoon mission if the light's good. Not a destination in itself, but a solid half-day that beats sitting around the caravan. Free, obviously - it's just a mountain.