Bryn Meiriadog

The walk up Bryn Meiriadog from Rhyl takes you away from the beach crowds and into proper hill country fast. It's not a long slog - the peak sits just inland from the coast, making it ideal if you've got a spare couple of hours and fancy stretching your legs without committing to a full day hike.

The views across Conwy and towards Snowdonia justify the effort. On a clear day you can see for miles - the sea to one side, mountains inland, and the sprawl of the North Wales coast spread below you like a map. It's the kind of vantage point that makes you understand why people settled here.

Walkers will get the most from this. The path is straightforward enough but unrelenting in places, so it's not a toddle for very young kids. Families with teenagers or decent hikers should find it manageable. Allow roughly an hour to get up and another hour back, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top.

If you're based at Parkdean Resorts Ty Mawr or Golden Sands Holiday Park near Rhyl, this works brilliantly as a morning activity before heading back for lunch. It breaks up a beach holiday nicely without eating the whole day. The peak itself is fairly bare - bring a windproof and good boots rather than expecting facilities.