Ffos Anoddun (Fairy Glen)

The walk down to Fairy Glen is steep enough to make your calves remember it the next morning, but the payoff is genuine. You're dropping into a hidden wooded valley where a small stream tumbles over moss-covered rocks, and the whole place has that particular kind of quiet that makes you understand why locals call it Ffos Anoddun. The glen itself isn't vast - twenty minutes of gentle exploration and you've seen the main features - but it's properly atmospheric, especially on an overcast day when the light filters through the trees just so.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not a stroll for toddlers or anyone with dodgy knees, and the path back up is relentless, but if you're comfortable on uneven ground and want a genuine woodland experience without fighting crowds, this does the job. History enthusiasts will appreciate the local mythology, though don't expect interpretation boards - you'll want to do your homework beforehand.

It's free, as far as anyone can tell, and worth allowing an hour including the walk back. Go early morning or midweek if you can; weekend afternoons can get surprisingly busy for somewhere so tucked away. The nearest proper facilities are in Betws-y-Coed, about ten minutes' drive away. If you're basing yourself at Conwy Valley Touring Park or one of the glamping spots nearby - Snowdonia Glamping Holidays is genuinely excellent - this makes a solid half-day addition to a Snowdonia itinerary without fighting the crowds at the honeypot attractions.