Craig Portas

The walk up Craig Portas rewards you with one of those rare views that actually justifies the huff and puff. This peak sits above Dolgellau in Gwynedd, and on a clear day you're looking across the Mawddach estuary towards Cadair Idris - properly stunning stuff.

It's not a long scramble, but it's steep enough that you'll feel like you've earned your vantage point. The summit itself is modest, nothing dramatic, but that's rather the point. You get the views without the crowds you'd face on the bigger names nearby. Walkers will appreciate the straightforward path and the sense of actually being somewhere rather than just ticking a box.

On a grey day it's less thrilling, so timing matters here. Early morning in autumn when the light hits right, or clear spring weather - that's when to come. Allow 90 minutes or so from Dolgellau town centre, depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top.

If you're based at Llwyn yr Helm Caravan and Camping Park just a couple of miles out, you could fit this in as a half-day venture without much fuss. It pairs well with exploring Dolgellau itself, or heading to Cadair Idris if you want something more demanding. Not a destination in itself, but well worth the detour if you're already in the area.