Bryn Melyn

The walk up Bryn Melyn isn't particularly punishing, which is exactly why so many people tackle it from Brecon without proper preparation. It's a modest peak by Welsh standards - nothing that demands crampons or a head for heights - but it rewards the effort with views across the Brecon Beacons that genuinely take your breath away.

You'll find yourself on moorland for most of the ascent, with the path winding through gorse and bracken. On a clear day the outlook stretches for miles; on a misty one you're basically walking into soup. The terrain is well-trodden and straightforward enough that families with reasonably fit kids will manage it without complaint, though under-tens might find the final push tedious.

It's the kind of walk that fits perfectly into a caravan holiday in the area. From Pencelli Castle or Cwmdu Campsite - both excellent bases just a few miles south - you can knock this out in an afternoon without feeling like you've missed anything else. Allow three hours for the round trip if you're not a speed walker, longer if you actually want to stand still and enjoy the views rather than just photograph them.

Bring decent boots. The ground can be boggy even in summer, and Powys weather changes like a moody teenager. There's no facilities on the mountain itself, so don't expect tea rooms or loos. Brecon's just down the way if you need anything before or after, which is genuinely handy.