Bryn Penmaen-Dyfi

The walk up Bryn Penmaen-Dyfi from Machynlleth isn't long, but it's proper steep in places. You're looking at maybe an hour up, depending on fitness, with the reward being a decent vantage point over the Dyfi Valley. The views sweep across to the Snowdonia peaks on a clear day, and the whole Cardigan Bay direction opens up to the west. It's the kind of walk that feels more substantial than the distance suggests because of the gradient.

This suits anyone who wants a decent hill without committing to a full day trek. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find the climb tedious. History buffs won't find much on the summit itself - it's more about the landscape and having earned your vantage point. The walk starts from Machynlleth, so you're not hiking far from proper amenities, which helps.

If you're camping at Gwerniago Campsite just down the road, this becomes an excellent afternoon outing. The timing works well - up in an hour, thirty minutes at the top if the weather cooperates, down before supper. Searivers Caravan Park, further out near Ceredigion's coast, makes it a longer drive but still doable as a day venture if you're based that way. There's no visitor centre or facilities on the peak itself, so bring water and something to eat. Free to access, obviously, being a Welsh hillside. Go when the cloud's sitting below 400 metres or you're wasting the view.