Carreg Cadno

The walk up Carreg Cadno isn't what you'd call gentle, but the payoff on a clear day makes the slog worthwhile. This peak in Powys rises above the rolling moorland of Mid Wales, and from the summit you've got views that stretch properly far - the kind where you can see why people bothered building settlements down in the valleys below.

It's a hill for walkers who want something a bit more substantial than a stroll but aren't quite ready to tackle the serious stuff. Families with older kids will find their rhythm here; younger ones might struggle with the gradient and rough ground underfoot. The whole thing takes a couple of hours depending on your fitness and how often you stop to catch your breath.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of - bring water, decent boots, and check the weather beforehand because it turns grim fast up here when the clouds roll in. The nearest proper town is Swansea, which feels far away once you're out on the moor, though Brecon's closer for supplies.

If you're based at one of the camping spots nearby - Brecon Beacons Camping & Caravan Park is just over two miles away - this makes an excellent half-day outing. It's free to access, of course, and worth doing early in the day when the light's good and you'll have the top mostly to yourself. Don't expect crowds or infrastructure. Just a proper Welsh hill and the effort required to reach it.