Ffridd Gelli-Grin

The walk up Ffridd Gelli-Grin isn't long, but it's steep enough to make you work for the view. Starting from near Bala, you're climbing through rough moorland with the kind of exposed terrain that keeps things interesting - no manicured paths here, just proper mountain walking. Once you reach the top, the Snowdonia panorama opens up in a way that justifies every lung-busting minute of the ascent.

This is a walker's peak, not a casual stroll. Allow a couple of hours up and down, depending on your fitness and how much time you spend loitering at the summit. The views sweep across the Aran ridge and down towards Bala Lake, and on a clear day you can see well beyond the immediate peaks. Weather matters enormously - come on a grey day and you'll struggle to see much further than the next ridge.

It works brilliantly as part of a wider Snowdonia trip. Tyn Cornel Camping sits just five miles away, making it a straightforward morning or afternoon expedition if you're based there. Bring a map and a compass - the moorland navigation is straightforward enough, but it's easy ground to underestimate if visibility drops.

Not for families with very young children or anyone after an easy ramble. But for walkers wanting to tick off a proper hill without the crowds that plague Snowdon, this delivers. The mountain doesn't draw tourists by the coachload, which is exactly why it's worth the drive.