Banc Gwyn

The walk up Banc Gwyn is short but surprisingly steep, and the payoff is exactly what you want from a Welsh hill with a clear day behind you. This modest peak near Aberystwyth - it's only 1,555 feet - rewards walkers with proper views across Cardigan Bay and back toward the Cambrian Mountains. Most people can knock this out in under two hours from the car park, which makes it ideal if you're staying in the area and don't fancy a full day's expedition.

It's the kind of walk that suits families with decent legs and casual hikers after something straightforward. Young kids might find the gradient a bit relentless, but nothing technical. The summit itself is grassy and exposed, so wind can be a factor - go on a still morning for the best light. You'll see south toward Newquay and north up the coast from here.

The approach is mostly moorland once you're past the initial tree cover, which means there's nowhere to hide from weather. Bring a waterproof even if the forecast looks promising. Winter and early spring tend to be quieter than summer, when Aberystwyth fills up with tourists.

Banc Gwyn slots nicely into a week based at Brynllwyd Glamping, six miles away, where you could mix serious mountain days in the Cambrians with smaller, sharper hills like this one. The accommodation's highly rated and gives you a solid base for exploring this corner of Ceredigion without being far from the coast.