Craigymerwydd

The walk up Craigymerwydd from Dolgellau is a proper slog, but the ridge views across the Mawddach estuary make it worthwhile if you've got the legs for it. It's not a dramatic peak - more of a steady climb through moorland with the occasional scramble - but the perspective you get back towards Cader Idris and across to the coast justifies the effort.

This one's for walkers who don't mind a few hours on the hill rather than families after an easy stroll. Allow three to four hours for the round trip depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top. The terrain is rough underfoot and exposed on the upper sections, so decent boots and a map are essential - there's no visitor centre or marked path beyond the initial approach.

Going in the late morning works best, partly because you'll avoid the worst of the wind tunnel effect that can make the ridge uncomfortable in strong weather, and partly because you need the light to pick your way back safely. Weather can turn fast up here, so check the forecast before you head out.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Graig Wen or Hendre Mynach are closest to Dolgellau - this makes a solid day out alongside easier walks in the Mawddach Valley. It's not the walk that gets all the Instagram attention, but that's precisely why it's worth doing.