Cerrig Cochion

The walk up Cerrig Cochion from Rhayader takes you into proper Mid Wales hill country - moorland and bracken that opens out as you climb. It's not a massive peak by any stretch, but the views back down towards the Elan Valley are genuinely worth the effort, especially on a clear day when you can see for miles across Powys.

The route itself is straightforward enough for anyone with reasonable fitness. Allow two to three hours for the round trip depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top. The paths can get boggy after rain - trainers with decent grip are essential, proper boots even better. There's a car park near Rhayader where you can leave the vehicle, though it gets busy on weekends.

Walkers and hill types will get the most from this. It's too exposed for young kids on a windy day, and if you're expecting dramatic rocky outcrops or dramatic peaks, you'll be disappointed. What you get instead is that real sense of being in the Welsh hills - just you, the weather, and proper scenery in every direction.

Staying at one of the nearby parks like Wyeside or Elan Oaks puts you minutes away. The walk pairs nicely with exploring the Elan Valley proper - water, trees, and a completely different kind of landscape. Do Cerrig Cochion in the morning, head down for a pint in Rhayader by afternoon. That's a decent hill day in Mid Wales.