Criffel

The walk up Criffel rewards you with views that stretch across the Solway Firth to the English Lake District - on a clear day, you'll spot the fells properly. It's the highest point around Dumfries and Galloway at 569 metres, and the ascent from Landis takes about ninety minutes if you're moving steadily. Not a technical climb by any measure. The path winds through farmland and forestry, then opens onto moorland for the final push to the summit cairn.

Walkers will find this worthwhile, particularly if you're staying at one of the caravan sites nearby - Criffel View has the name for a reason. The views are genuinely impressive rather than just a nice backdrop. Families with older kids (say, ten upwards) will manage the walk without complaint, though younger children might struggle with the endurance required. An hour at the top, another hour and a half down, plus breaks means you're looking at a full afternoon. Go when the weather's settled. Midges can be vicious in July and August if there's no wind.

It's free to climb, no gates or barriers. The path starts near Landis and is reasonably well-marked, though navigation can get murky in cloud. If you're based at Parkdean Resorts Southerness or Sandyhills Bay, this sits comfortably within a day's exploration - you could pair it with Caerlaverock Castle Corner for a proper day out. Worth the drive if you're after a proper hill walk without the complications of bigger mountains.