Drysgol

The walk up Drysgol from Dolgellau is straightforward enough, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a doddle. It's a proper slog up bare moorland with views that get better the higher you climb. The summit isn't dramatic - no rocky pinnacle or cairn to crown your effort - but what you get instead is a 360-degree spread across the Cader Idris range and out towards the coast. On a clear day, you're scanning miles of slate-coloured ridges and the occasional glint of water far below. Most people do it as a half-day circuit from the town, which works well. Allow three to four hours if you're not moving at pace, and wear proper boots because the ground gets boggy after rain, which in this part of Wales is most of the time. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might struggle with the relentlessness of the climb. There's nothing to do once you're up there except sit, eat a sandwich, and stare. That's rather the point. If you're basing yourself at Llwyn yr Helm Caravan and Camping Park nearby, Drysgol fits neatly into a wider day exploring the Cader Idris area. It's the sort of walk you do because you're in the mood for solitude and fresh air rather than because it's famous. Which, frankly, suits it just fine.