Craig Y Ganllwyd

The walk up Craig Y Ganllwyd from Dolgellau isn't long, but it's properly steep in places and rewards you with views that stretch across the Mawddach Valley in a way that feels genuinely earned. You're looking at maybe ninety minutes up and back if you're moving at a decent pace, less if you're very fit, more if you stop every few minutes like I did to get your breath back.

It's a peak worth doing if you're staying in the area and fancy something more serious than a stroll but without committing to a full day's walking. The path winds through woodland before opening out, and the final approach up the ridge has proper mountain feel to it despite the modest height. Clear days here are absolutely cracking - you can pick out Cader Idris across the valley, and on a really good day, the Snowdon massif looms up to the north.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not a family ramble - the scrambling sections would frustrate small children, and the loose stone on descent needs careful footwork. If you're camping at Torrent Walk or Llwyn yr Helm, both within easy driving distance, this makes a fine afternoon out. Start early enough to avoid afternoon mist rolling in, and bring proper boots. There's nothing technical here, just exposure and steepness that punishes laziness.