Banc Yr Wyn

The walk up Banc Yr Wyn from Aberystwyth is a proper lung-buster, but that's exactly why it's worth doing. This isn't some manicured summit - it's a genuine hill walk that rewards the effort with views across Cardigan Bay that stop you dead in your tracks. On a clear day you can see for miles. The peak itself sits at a decent altitude and the terrain changes as you climb, shifting from wooded lower slopes through grassland to the more exposed upper reaches.

It's the kind of walk that suits people who actually enjoy walking rather than those after a twenty-minute stroll and a photo. Families with older kids will manage it fine, though the little ones might struggle with the steeper sections. Allow a solid couple of hours return trip depending on fitness. There's no facility up there - no café, no visitor centre - so bring what you need.

The big draw is that you're properly in the landscape here rather than just passing through. The town of Aberystwyth sits below like a map, and the whole coastline unfolds in front of you. It's free to access and you can head up any day, though winter weather can make it grim.

If you're based at Woodlands Caravan Park or Tyn Ffordd Fach Campsite nearby, this makes a cracking afternoon out. It's an honest walk with genuine views - no artifice, no crowds, just the hill itself.