Bryn Y Ffynnon

The walk up Bryn Y Ffynnon rewards you with something genuinely special - proper Welsh hillside without the crowds you'd get at the famous spots. It's a nature reserve near Ruthin that feels like the locals' secret, the kind of place where you're more likely to bump into a red kite than a tour group.

The reserve itself is moorland with real character. There's a spring at the top (the name means "Hill of the Spring") and the views back down towards the Vale of Clwyd are the kind that make you understand why people choose to live here. On a clear day you can see right across to the Clwydian Range. The paths are manageable without being trivial - not a stroll, but nothing that'll leave you knackered either.

Walkers will get the most from this place. The terrain is open moorland with heather, and the birdwatching is legitimately good if you know what you're looking for. It's also the sort of spot families with older kids will enjoy - there's space to roam and it's not a sitting-down attraction. Give yourself an hour and a half at least if you want to do it properly.

If you're camping at Clwydian Glamping Pods just down the road, this is an obvious morning or afternoon outing. It's close enough for a quick visit but far enough removed that it feels like a proper escape. No visitors' centre, no facilities at the top - just the hill, the spring, and the weather. Exactly as it should be.