Bluebell Hill

The walk up Bluebell Hill takes about forty minutes from Dolgellau, and on a clear day the views across the Cader Idris range will stop you in your tracks. It's not a dramatic peak - more of a steady climb through moorland with decent footpaths - but the payoff is proper worth the effort.

At the top you get 360-degree views over the Mawddach estuary and out towards the coast. On a grey Welsh afternoon it's moody and atmospheric; catch it in sunshine and you'll understand why people make the trip. The bluebell carpets (which give the hill its name) are best in late spring, though honestly the views are the real draw.

This suits walkers more than casual strollers - it's not a push-along-the-flat kind of afternoon. Kids aged eight upwards will manage it fine if they're used to hills, though younger ones might find the slog tedious. Allow two to three hours round trip if you're taking your time with photos.

If you're based at Llwyn yr Helm Caravan and Camping Park just down the valley, Bluebell Hill makes a cracking half-day outing. The campsite is well-positioned for exploring this corner of Snowdonia. Torrent Walk Campsite is another solid option if you want to stay closer to Dolgellau itself.

No facilities at the top, so bring water. Best visited outside peak summer weekends when the car parks at Dolgellau can get rammed.