Creag Dhubh

The walk up Creag Dhubh from Aviemore is steep, straightforward, and absolutely worth the effort if you've got decent legs and two hours to spare. This isn't a long scramble - more a brisk uphill trudge through forest before you break out onto open moorland with proper views across the Cairngorms. The summit itself is modest, nothing dramatic, but the Spey Valley spreads out beneath you and on a clear day you can see right down into Strathspey.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not technical or exposed, just relentless uphill, so families with older kids manage it fine, but younger ones might find the gradient tedious. Allow two to three hours return depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top. Early morning in summer gives you the best chance of clear views - mist rolls in fast up here.

There's no charge, no visitor centre, no facilities at the summit. Park near Aviemore town and pick up the path from there. It's a proper local's walk rather than a tourist honeypot, which is exactly why it's worth doing.

If you're basing yourself at Invernahavon or Laggan Glamping nearby, this makes an excellent morning outing before exploring the broader Cairngorms network. Couples or solo walkers seeking something manageable but rewarding should carve out the time for this one.