Clapiau Elan

The walk up Clapiau Elan rewards you with proper views across the Elan Valley - that sweep of reservoirs and moorland that makes you understand why people bother hiking in Wales at all. It's not a dramatic peak, nothing that'll leave you breathless from altitude, but the approach from Aberystwyth direction is straightforward enough and the vantage point itself justifies the effort.

You're looking at around two hours return from the car, depending on fitness and how many times you stop to take photos. The terrain is moorland - bog in places, firm underfoot when it's been dry - so proper boots matter. There's no designated path to speak of, which means you navigate by compass or a decent map app. That said, it's hardly trackless wilderness; plenty of walkers come through here.

This works brilliantly as a half-day excursion if you're basing yourself at one of the nearby campsites - Woodlands Caravan Park or Glangwy Farm are both within six miles. Come mid-morning and you'll likely have the ridge to yourself. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find the moorland repetitive. History types won't find much up there, but the Elan Valley itself has serious water engineering heritage if that's your angle.

Worth doing? Yes. Worth rearranging your schedule for? Only if you're already in the area. The real appeal is combining it with the valley walks and reservoir views lower down - treat Clapiau Elan as the cherry on top of a proper day out in Ceredigion.