Craig Cwm Amarch

The walk up Craig Cwm Amarch rewards you with proper views across the Cader Idris massif - nothing fancy, just raw Snowdonian grit. You're looking at a straightforward ridge climb from near Dolgellau that takes most people two to three hours there and back, depending on fitness and how often you stop to catch your breath.

What makes it tick is the simplicity of it. This isn't a technical scramble or a destination that draws crowds in the way Pen y Ghent does further east. You get genuine mountain scenery without the tourist machinery. The summit gives you decent sight lines down into the cwm below and across to the bigger peaks if the weather's on your side.

Families with older kids - say ten and up, decent walkers - will manage it fine. Younger ones might find the steady climbing tedious. The path itself is well-trodden but can be boggy in places, so proper boots matter. Free to access, obviously. Allow a solid three hours if you're not rushed.

Stay nearby at Graig Wen or Llwyn yr Helm - both are five-star rated and give you proper base camps for exploring this corner of Gwynedd. Torrent Walk is cheaper and closer if budget's tight, though the reviews aren't quite as glowing. Either way, you're well-positioned for Cader Idris itself or the softer walks around Dolgellau if the weather turns moody.