Cefn Rhydoldog

The walk up Cefn Rhydoldog rewards you with views that stretch across the moorland around Rhayader - not a dramatic mountain, but a proper hill walk that takes about an hour depending on fitness. You'll climb through open country with minimal trees, so weather matters here; come on a clear day and you can see for miles across Powys. On a grey one, you'll mostly see cloud.

This is a walker's hill rather than a tourist spot. No visitor centre, no facilities, just you and the landscape. That's rather the appeal. The route from Rhayader is straightforward enough for families with older kids, though the ascent can be a bit stiff and there's exposed moorland, so it's not ideal for toddlers or anyone uncomfortable with uneven ground.

Allow two to three hours for the round trip, including time to catch your breath at the top. Free, obviously - it's a Welsh hillside. Go in summer or autumn when the ground is driest; winter can be boggy and visibility dire.

If you're staying at Elan Oaks or Wyeside, both within walking distance of Rhayader, this makes a solid morning's outing before heading to the Elan Valley reservoirs for the afternoon. It's the kind of walk that makes you feel you've actually done something, without requiring proper mountaineering gear. Real Wales, basically.