Bryniau Duon

The walk up Bryniau Duon from Betws-y-Coed is straightforward enough, which means the views at the top feel properly earned rather than handed to you. It's not a bruising climb - more of a steady plod through woodland that opens onto moorland. You get real Snowdonia views from the summit: the kind where you can pick out Snowdon itself on a clear day and trace the ridgelines stretching across North Wales.

Walkers will spend a solid two to three hours round trip depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top. The path is well-trodden and marked, so no scrambling about with map and compass required. Families with older kids (say, eight upwards) will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the initial climb tedious.

Bryniau Duon isn't a destination in itself - it's a proper hill walk that rewards effort without demanding technical skill. The summit lacks drama or a dramatic cairn, so don't expect a landmark moment. What you get instead is solitude and genuine mountain air, which beats most over-hyped peaks.

If you're staying at one of the glamping sites nearby - Porth Eryri or Snowdonia Glamping Holidays are both five miles away - this makes a cracking half-day outing. It fits neatly between breakfast and a late lunch. The walk starts from Betws-y-Coed itself, so no faffing about with car parks or shuttle buses. Spring and early autumn are best; summer weekends pull crowds onto the trails.