Eglwys-Anne Warren Ffridd

The walk up to Eglwys-Anne Warren Ffridd rewards you with proper mountain views across Gwynedd. It's a modest peak by Welsh standards, but the climb from Bala is straightforward enough that you won't need fell-walking experience to bag the summit.

You're looking at a couple of hours up and back, depending on your pace and fitness. The terrain is rough moorland and grass - muddy in wet weather, which is most of the time round here. On a clear day, you get sight lines across to the bigger peaks and down the valleys that genuinely take your breath away. The actual summit marker is understated, which is fine; the view does all the talking.

This works brilliantly if you're based at Tyn Cornel Camping, just two miles away near Bala. It's the kind of walk that families with older kids will manage without complaint, though younger ones might struggle with the final push. Serious hikers won't get a huge sense of achievement from it, but if you want a proper hill with decent views without committing to Snowdon or Cader Idris, it fills the gap nicely.

Free, obviously. No facilities at the top - bring water and snacks. Sunrise walks work well here, though the weather will likely have other ideas. Go when Bala's not rammed with school holidays if you want a quieter experience. The landscape feels genuinely wild despite the modest height.