Strath na Crèitheach, Strath, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Once north of Loch na Crèitheach, you're never in any sort of doubt that you are immersed in hill country. The gradients may be easy and the path clear, but it's what surrounds you that is telling. We may be pointed straight at the saddle between Ruadh Stac and Garbh-bheinn, but the track avoids this kind of ascent to round the former to continue on its way north through the narrows of Strath na Crèitheach.