Carreg Y Foel-Gron

The walk up Carreg Y Foel-Gron takes about forty minutes from the car park near Blaenau Ffestiniog, and it's one of those climbs that feels steeper than it looks. The peak itself sits at 610 metres, which isn't huge in Welsh mountain terms, but the views across Snowdonia make the effort worthwhile. On a clear day you can see right across the slate quarry landscape - there's something quite dramatic about standing above those vast grey pits and looking out towards the higher peaks beyond.

It's a straightforward hill walk rather than a technical scramble, so families with older kids can manage it without too much faffing about. The path is fairly well-defined, though it gets boggy in places after rain. Allow two hours total, including time to catch your breath at the top and poke around the modest cairn that marks the summit. Walkers will find this works perfectly as part of a wider Snowdonia loop - you could easily link it with other peaks in the area if you're making a day of it.

Stay at Llechwedd Glamping at Plas Weunydd just down the road and you're ideally placed for exploring this corner of Gwynedd. The slate heritage of Blaenau Ffestiniog itself is worth an afternoon, but if you want proper mountain air without the crowds of Snowdon, this peak delivers. It's free to walk, naturally - just park responsibly near the trailhead.