Cefn y Cylchau

The walk up Cefn y Cylchau rewards you with views across the Black Mountains that genuinely take your breath away. It's not a massive summit - you're only hitting about 500 metres - but the visibility here is exceptional on clear days, and you can see right across Carmarthenshire towards the Brecon Beacons.

From Llangadog, it's an easy drive to the trailhead, and most people manage the ascent in under an hour without pushing hard. The path itself is well-trodden and straightforward, which means it works perfectly for families with older kids or anyone after a proper walk without the scrambling nonsense. Younger children might flag on the climb, but it's not relentless.

What makes this spot worthwhile is that it genuinely feels quiet. You won't battle crowds here like you do at the honeypot peaks. The moorland at the top has that proper wild feel - grassy, open, a bit windswept. On a grey Welsh day it's moody; on a clear one, it's cracking.

If you're camping at Cosmos Camping or Brecon Beacons Camping & Caravan Park nearby, this makes an excellent morning expedition before heading to bigger attractions. Allow two hours including the descent and you're sorted. No facilities at the summit, so pack water and something sensible to eat. Winter can be boggy and the wind picks up properly, so pick your weather. It's free to walk, naturally, and there are no gates or barriers. Honest value for an afternoon's graft.