Bryn Maesteg

The walk up Bryn Maesteg takes you through proper South Wales countryside, climbing steadily from Port Talbot towards a ridge that opens up views across Neath Port Talbot and beyond. It's not a mountain - more of a bracing hill walk that rewards you with breathing space away from the industrial sprawl below.

You get moorland underfoot, gorse and bracken, and on a clear day the views sweep across the valley. The peak itself isn't dramatic, no dramatic cairn or trig point to mark arrival, just the knowledge you've reached the high point. Allow 90 minutes return from Port Talbot proper, depending on your fitness and how many times you stop to look back at where you've come from.

Walkers will appreciate this. It's accessible enough that families with older kids can manage it without complaint, though younger children might find the steady climb tedious. The paths are reasonably clear but can be muddy after rain, so proper boots matter. No fees, no gatekeepers - just go.

If you're staying at Willow Springs Campsite, five or six miles away, this makes a solid morning expedition before heading back for late breakfast. It's the kind of walk that gives you the feeling you've actually been somewhere, rather than ticked a box. Port Talbot itself isn't much of a destination, but this hill reminds you why people live here.