Arenig Fawr

The walk up Arenig Fawr starts easy enough, rising gradually from the moorland near Bala before things get properly steep in the final push. What makes this 806-metre peak worth the slog isn't the summit itself - it's modest, with a stone cairn and views that stretch across to Snowdonia on a clear day. The real draw is the isolation. Far fewer people tackle this than Snowdon or the Cader Idris circuit, so you get genuine quietness and a sense of proper wildness.

Allow about three hours for a solid walk up and down, depending on fitness. The terrain is moorland with rocky sections near the top, and it can get boggy lower down if there's been recent rain. Start early if you're doing this in summer - the car park fills, and you'll want the best light for photography anyway.

Families with older kids will manage fine, though under-tens might find the exposed stretches tiresome. Serious hikers treating this as a training walk or part of a longer ridge walk will appreciate the raw Snowdonian landscape without the crowds. On a grey afternoon it feels moody and atmospheric; on a rare clear day the views into Cader range are genuinely special.

Tyn Cornel Camping sits just 4.7 miles away near Bala, making it a convenient base if you're combining this peak with exploration of the Aran range or days around the lakes. There's no facilities on the mountain itself, so bring water and snacks. Free to walk, obviously - just park sensibly and respect the farming land.