Bryn y Gregennen

The walk up Bryn y Gregennen, just outside Dolgellau, is proper rewarding if you don't mind a bit of leg work. It's not a major peak - more of a solid afternoon outing than an all-day expedition - but the views across the Mawddach estuary and towards Cadair Idris are genuinely excellent. The ascent isn't brutal, though it's steep enough in places to make you feel like you've earned it.

You're looking at maybe two hours up and back, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the summit. The terrain is typical North Wales - grassy slopes, exposed bedrock, nothing technical. Walkers will get the most from this one; it's a proper hill walk rather than a casual stroll. Kids can manage it if they're reasonably energetic, though younger ones might struggle with the steeper sections.

It's free, obviously - it's a mountain. The best approach is from Dolgellau itself, and the light's nicest in late afternoon when the estuary catches the sun properly. You won't be fighting crowds here either, which is refreshing.

If you're camping at one of the parks nearby - Graig Wen and Hendre Mynach are both handy - Bryn y Gregennen slots in well between longer treks to Cadair Idris or gentler walks around Dolgellau town itself. Worth fitting in, though don't expect dramatic alpine scenery. It's quiet, accessible, and you'll feel the exertion without needing mountaineering skills.