Clogwyn Pryfed

The walk up Clogwyn Pryfed rewards you with something rare in North Wales - a proper sense of isolation without needing serious scrambling skills. From Betws-y-Coed, it's a straightforward trek that builds nicely, and the views across the Conwy valley improve with every hundred metres of elevation gain.

What you're getting here is a modest peak with character. The summit itself isn't dramatic - no dramatic drops or knife-edge ridges - but that's partly why it works. You get 360-degree views without the crowds you'd encounter on the bigger hills. On a clear day, the mountains ripple away in all directions, and you can pick out the Snowdonia massif to the south.

This is solid terrain for families with older kids and regular hill walkers after something less taxing than the serious peaks nearby. Allow two to three hours for a comfortable round trip from the carpark. There's nothing technical about it, though the path can be boggy after rain, so proper boots matter. Bring a map - the summit cairn isn't massive, and visibility can close in quickly.

If you're basing yourself at one of the local parks - Maenan Abbey is five miles away and excellent - this makes a half-day excursion that doesn't eat into exploring the wider valley. The proximity to Betws-y-Coed means you can have lunch in the village and still be home before dark. It's the kind of walk that fills the gap between "something to do" and "proper adventure".