Bryn Gaer

The walk up Bryn Gaer from Crickhowell is steep but mercifully short, and the payoff is genuine. You're looking at roughly 45 minutes to the summit if you move at a decent pace, which means you can squeeze this into a morning without it dominating your day. The views across the Black Mountains and down towards the Vale of Usk are proper lovely on a clear day - the kind of outlook that makes you understand why people keep coming back to this corner of Powys.

It's a walker's peak rather than a casual stroll. The terrain gets ambitious in places, and you'll want decent boots if it's been wet. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find the scramble irritating. The whole thing is free, as is typical for Welsh hills, and you won't encounter crowds unless you're visiting on a bank holiday.

What makes it worth the trip is how it sits within a proper walking area. Crickhowell itself is a charming little market town with decent pubs, and Cwmdu Campsite just four miles away offers a comfortable base if you're planning a longer stay. You could easily combine this with walks around Pen y Gadair or explorations of the Brecon Beacons - it's part of a landscape that rewards spending a few days properly exploring it rather than just ticking one thing off.

Go early if you value peace. By mid-morning, you might share the path with others.