Cadair Idris

The walk up Cadair Idris is properly hard work, but the view from the summit is worth every aching leg. At 2,930 feet, it's Wales' second-highest peak, and from the top you're looking out across Snowdonia towards the coast - assuming the cloud hasn't rolled in, which it often has. Allow four to five hours for the round trip depending on your fitness and which route you take. The Pony Path from Dolgellau is the gentler option, though gentler is relative when you're talking about a 3,000-foot climb. The Fox's Path is steeper and more direct - less than half the distance but properly lung-busting.

This isn't a casual Sunday stroll. Walkers and hill baggars will love it; families with young children should think twice. The scramble near the summit will appeal to anyone who likes using their hands, though you don't need technical climbing gear. The terrain is rocky and exposed in places, and the weather changes fast up there. Take a proper map, waterproofs, and don't rely on your phone signal.

There's free parking at the trailheads near Dolgellau, and the walk itself costs nothing. Mid-week in shoulder season - May or September - you'll dodge the weekend crowds. Several good campsites sit within a few miles: Graig Wen, just 3.9 miles away, has a 5-star rating and is genuinely well-run, while Torrent Walk is another solid option if you want to base yourself nearby. The summit views on a clear day make it one of North Wales' finest walks, though fair warning - clear days up here are rarer than you'd hope.