Esgair Dernol

The walk up Esgair Dernol rewards you with proper views across Mid Wales, though it's not the kind of peak that'll stop you in your tracks. At 610 metres, it's a solid afternoon's outing from Llanidloes rather than a full day's mission, and the climb itself is straightforward enough for anyone with decent legs and a decent map.

You're looking at moorland and open hillside - the sort of place where the wind can bite even in summer, and the views stretch out toward the Cambrian Mountains when the weather plays ball. It's walkers' terrain, not families with pushchairs. The path isn't marked with signs, so you'll need to know what you're doing with a compass or a GPS. The nearest town, Llanidloes, sits about 20 minutes' drive away and serves as your jumping-off point.

If you're camping in the area, this works well as a morning walk before breakfast, or a late afternoon push if you're based at Glangwy Farm Camping or Ty Llewelyn Glamping. The views aren't dramatic enough to justify a special trip on their own, but paired with other walks in the Llanidloes valleys, it fills a gap nicely. Allow two to three hours return, depending on fitness and how long you want to loiter at the top. The lack of crowds is the real draw - you won't be elbowing past tourists here. It's a local's walk, which means it stays proper quiet.