Carn Pica

The walk up Carn Pica takes about an hour from the car park near Brecon, and it's one of those hills that looks deceptively modest until you're halfway up and your legs remind you otherwise. The summit sits at 541 metres, commanding proper views across the Brecon Beacons - on a clear day you're looking at Pen y Fan and the whole eastern range spread out like a map. It's not a technical climb by any means, but it's steep enough in places to keep you honest.

This one appeals to walkers who want something achievable without needing a dawn start or half a day. Families with kids aged eight upwards will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the final push tedious. The ground's boggy in patches after rain, so proper boots matter. There's no café at the top, no facilities to speak of - just you, the wind, and the views. Allow two to three hours for a comfortable round trip.

Carn Pica works brilliantly as part of a broader Brecon Beacons trip rather than a standalone expedition. The nearby Pencelli Castle and Cefn Cantref campsites are both well-regarded bases, putting you within easy reach of this walk plus the bigger peaks if you fancy them. It's worth doing on a settled day - the exposed ridge can be grim in poor weather. Worth the effort? Yes, if you're already in the area and the forecast looks decent.