Coed Tremadog National Nature Reserve

The woodland here runs thick and deep - a proper slice of North Wales that most visitors to Porthmadog miss entirely. Coed Tremadog is an open-access nature reserve managed by the Wildlife Trust, and it's the kind of place where you can wander for an hour or three without bumping into another soul. The trees are ancient, the ground soft with moss, and if you're lucky with the season you'll spot woodland birds and insects that barely register on most tourist itineraries.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not a destination walk - more a place to slip into when you're staying nearby at one of the caravan parks dotted around Porthmadog, perhaps Tyddyn Llwyn or Greenacres. The trails meander through native woodland without much in the way of interpretation boards or visitor infrastructure, which is either brilliant or frustrating depending on your view. If you want a structured walk with information panels, you'll feel shortchanged. If you prefer to just move quietly through the trees, it's exactly right.

The reserve sits just outside Porthmadog proper, making it an easy detour before heading up towards Snowdonia or down to Cardigan Bay. Bring proper shoes - the ground gets boggy - and aim for late spring through early autumn. Winter's manageable too, though short days limit how much you can cover. Free to access, no gates or fees. Allow a couple of hours if you're taking it slow and watching for wildlife. It won't be the highlight of your week, but on a decent day it's a thoroughly pleasant way to spend an afternoon.