Cefn Lewis

The walk up Cefn Lewis from Crickhowell is proper satisfying - nothing too brutal, but steep enough that you feel like you've earned the views. It's a straightforward hill rather than a dramatic peak, sitting above the Usk Valley with solid 360-degree views across the Black Mountains and beyond. On a clear day you can see for miles; on a grey one you get that moody Welsh upland feeling that some people find more atmospheric anyway.

It's the kind of walk that appeals to families who want something more interesting than a flat park stroll, but nothing that'll have the kids complaining halfway up. Give yourself two hours return from town, maybe longer if you're stopping for photos or to catch your breath. The terrain's straightforward - moorland and grass paths, nothing technical.

Walkers tackling the broader Brecon Beacons circuit will find Cefn Lewis a decent warm-up or cool-down option. The proximity to Crickhowell means you're not far from proper pubs and cafes for post-walk recovery. If you're camping at Cwmdu Campsite, this is absolutely the sort of hill walk that makes the trip worthwhile - close enough for an afternoon outing, interesting enough to justify getting your boots on.

There's nothing fancy here. No visitor facilities, no admission charge, no opening hours to check. Just a hill and a path. That's rather the point.