This is the 14101st most frequent Russian word.
окрестных
"Nearby" or "surrounding."
Here, 'окрестным' functions as an adjective defining geographical proximity, describing the villages nearby.
Мы гуляли по окрестным деревням.
We strolled around the nearby villages.
In this sentence, 'окрестных' describes the mountains surrounding or in the vicinity of the subject, emphasizing location.
Они любовались красотой окрестных гор.
They admired the beauty of the surrounding mountains.
Here, 'окрестных' again specifies the towns' proximity related to the context of the action taking place.