Cyrnau Bach

The walk up Cyrnau Bach is proper steep but mercifully short - you're talking twenty minutes or so from the car park if you're moving at a decent pace. This little peak sits just outside Aberystwyth and rewards the climb with views across Cardigan Bay that genuinely take your breath away, though whether that's from the scenery or the gradient is anyone's guess.

It's the kind of walk that works brilliantly for families who want to tick a summit without committing to a full day expedition. Kids get the satisfaction of reaching a proper peak, and the views are worth the effort - you can see right along the Welsh coast on a clear day. Allow an hour there and back if you're dawdling, less if you're pushing on.

Walkers staying at Brynllwyd Glamping or Woodlands Caravan Park - both barely over a mile away - can knock this out before breakfast without breaking a sweat logistically. It pairs nicely with exploring Aberystwyth itself, whether that's the seafront or the quirky funicular railway up Constitution Hill. If you've got the time and the legs for more, the surrounding hills offer enough walking to keep you occupied for days.

Bring proper shoes. The paths get boggy even when it hasn't rained, and loose stone near the summit keeps you honest. Go early if you want solitude - this place gets busier in summer, and there's limited parking.