Coed-Y-Gaer

The walk up Coed-Y-Gaer from Llanidloes rewards you with proper Mid Wales views - moorland rolling out in every direction and on clear days you can see right across to the Cambrian Mountains. It's a modest peak by any standard, but that's rather the point. No crowds, no facilities, just you and the landscape.

The ascent itself is straightforward enough, taking roughly an hour from the town. You're walking through forestry initially, then emerging onto open moorland as you climb. The path is well-defined and manageable for most fitness levels, though it does get a bit muddy after rain - this is Wales after all. Walkers and hikers will get the most from it, especially those after a morning expedition before heading back to base for lunch.

There's no entrance fee or facilities to speak of, which means you're entirely free to turn up whenever suits you. Allow a couple of hours return trip including time to sit at the summit and actually look around rather than just bag-ticking. The views justify that.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Dol-Llys Farm, Clywedog Riverside, or Red Kite are all within a few miles - this works brilliantly as a morning walk before settling into camp life. It's the kind of hill that doesn't demand the full day but genuinely improves a holiday. Families with older kids will manage it fine. Younger ones might find the final push tedious, though.