Craig Fawr

Craig Fawr rises abruptly from the moorland south of Machynlleth, a craggy limestone peak that rewards a proper climb with views stretching across Ceredigion to the coast. The walk itself is the main event - there's no visitor centre or facilities, just moorland, rock, and the satisfying burn in your legs as you gain height. Count on two to three hours return depending on fitness and which approach you take from the access points below the escarpment. The summit's exposed, so wind can bite even on decent days, and visibility matters. On a clear afternoon it's genuinely striking; in cloud, it's just a steep walk to nowhere much. Walkers and fell-baggers get the most from it. Families with younger kids might find the ascent a slog without the payoff they'd want. There's no charge and no gates, though you'll need to park sensibly near Machynlleth and respect the land. The surrounding moorland belongs to working farms, so stick to established paths. If you're based at one of the local holiday parks - Cambrian Coast Holiday Park is closest at 5.7 miles - it's worth a morning's excursion rather than a full day out. The real value comes from fitting it into a broader walking holiday across the Cambrian slopes. Solo walkers and couples who like wild country will rate it. It's not Instagram-friendly, and you won't buy a postcard at the top. But that's rather the point.