Ben Challum from Kirkton Farm

Ben Challum from the Kirkton Farm lay-by is a full Munro ascent: 7.25 miles (11.5 km) round trip on an out-and-back route, with 910 m of climbing. Allow five to seven hours; about six is a realistic day for a steady hillwalker. The 1,025 m summit makes this a proper mountain day, not a quick viewpoint walk. The payoff is a high ridge and wide views into Glen Lochay and Strathfillan, with Ben Lui, Ben More and Stob Binnein among the surrounding tops. Choose it if you are ready for sustained climbing, boggy ground and some route-finding on open hillside.

Cross the A82 from the lay-by and follow the lane to a bridge and the farm track. The route uses the West Highland Way briefly, passing the remains of St Fillan's Chapel and an old graveyard, before leaving it near a second cemetery and crossing a footbridge over the railway. The lower hillside is the hard part: a faint grassy path climbs beside a deer fence through rolling, very boggy ground. There are gates and stiles, and a fence crossing may help avoid the wettest ground. The line is easier underfoot higher up; the climb steadies beside fence posts as views toward Ben More and Stob Binnein open.

At the South Top, the ridge is divided by a cleft. In mist, take care to cross it on the western side before following the ridge north. It dips briefly, then climbs to Ben Challum's main summit. For a photo, include the ridge in the foreground so the dip and second climb show clearly, then take in the broad views over Glen Lochay and Strathfillan. Return the same way; this is not a loop, and wet ground can make the descent slow. Dogs may come under Scotland's access rules, but keep them close around farm animals and out of fields with young stock.