Braich Ddu

Braich Ddu sits at 902 metres in the Cader Idris range, and it's one of those peaks that rewards you without demanding the full three-hour slog to the main summit. The name means 'black arm' in Welsh, which feels apt when you're standing up there in proper cloud cover looking down the valley towards Dolgellau.

The approach from the north is straightforward enough - a steady climb through moorland that gets increasingly exposed as you gain height. On a clear day, which frankly isn't guaranteed in these parts, you can see across to Snowdon and down into the Mawddach estuary. The views south towards Barmouth are worth the effort alone. Allow two to three hours for a round trip depending on your fitness and how often you stop to catch your breath.

It's not a scramble, so families with reasonably confident walkers will manage fine, though younger kids might find the featureless upper section a bit dull. This is proper mountain terrain - weather can change in minutes, and the ground is boggy in places. Bring decent boots and a map; mobile signal is patchy at best.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby campsites around Dolgellau - Graig Wen or Hendre Mynach are closest - Braich Ddu makes a solid afternoon's work without dominating your whole day. It pairs nicely with a descent into Cader Idris itself if you're feeling ambitious, or with exploring the valley walks around Dolgellau afterwards. Worth the detour if you're keen on ridges and don't mind a bit of weather.