Coedcae Isaf

The walk up Coedcae Isaf is less about destination drama and more about steady graft through proper Welsh countryside. You're climbing a peak that doesn't announce itself loudly - no visitor centre, no café, no marked trails with proper signs. Just you, the hillside, and the weight of your legs after the first few hundred metres.

From Port Talbot, it's a straightforward climb that takes most people between 45 minutes to an hour depending on fitness. The views aren't going to knock you sideways like Snowdon would, but that's rather the point. You get the Neath Valley spread below you, the industrial heritage of Port Talbot visible in the middle distance, and on a clear day there's genuine satisfaction in the reward.

This works best for walkers who actually enjoy walking rather than ticking boxes. Families with young kids would likely find it a bit much - the path can be muddy and there's not much of a dramatic payoff to keep their interest. History buffs might find the industrial landscape below more interesting than the summit itself.

If you're staying at Willow Springs Campsite just down the road, it's ideal for an afternoon sortie when the weather's cooperating. Bring decent boots, pack waterproofs (it's Wales), and allow a couple of hours round trip. Free to climb, obviously - there's nothing stopping you heading up whenever suits. Autumn's probably best, when the mud's dried out a bit and the light's golden.