Braich Y Cornel

Standing at 431 metres, this rounded Welsh hill delivers proper views across Cardigan Bay without the crowds that plague Snowdonia's bigger peaks. The summit sits just north of Garndolbenmaen, offering a relatively straightforward ascent that takes about 90 minutes from the nearest parking spots along the country lanes.

Families with older children will find this a good introduction to Welsh hill walking - steep enough to feel like an achievement but not so demanding that it becomes a slog. The path can get boggy after rain, so decent boots are essential. Clear days reveal the Llyn Peninsula stretching south and the mountains of Snowdonia rising to the east.

What makes Braich Y Cornel worth the effort is its sense of solitude. You're more likely to encounter sheep than other walkers, particularly on weekdays. The top itself is unremarkable - just a grassy summit with no trig point - but the 360-degree views more than compensate.

If you're staying at one of the nearby sites like Haven Greenacres Holiday Park or Black Rock Sands, this makes a proper half-day adventure. Pack sandwiches and allow three hours return from the base. Best tackled on a clear morning when the light picks out every detail of the coastal scenery below.