Bryn Du

The walk up Bryn Du from Ruthin is short, sharp, and absolutely worth the effort. You're climbing maybe 300 metres of proper moorland, grass and gorse underfoot, with nothing between you and the view until you reach the summit cairn. On a clear day - and you'll want to time it right - you can see right across to the Clwydian Range and beyond into Cheshire. It's not a mountain in the dramatic sense, but it punches above its weight.

You'll find mostly walkers heading up here rather than families with toddlers. It's the sort of peak that appeals to people who like straightforward routes without scrambling or exposure. The climb takes about forty minutes from town, maybe an hour if you're not rushing. Bring a coat though - the summit can be surprisingly windswept even when the valley below is sheltered.

For a park holiday based at Clwydian Glamping Pods and Campsite, Bryn Du makes an ideal morning outing before heading off to explore the bigger peaks in the Clwydian range itself. It's close enough that you're not burning half your day on travel, but far enough removed that it feels like a proper walk rather than a hotel stroll. The ground can get boggy after rain, so pick your timing carefully. Free to access, naturally - it's common land.