Ffridd Lom

The walk up Ffridd Lom is a proper slog if you're coming from Bala, but the ridge itself is absolutely worth the effort. It's not a dramatic peak - nothing like Snowdon or the Cader Idris circuit - but that's rather the point. You get genuine solitude up here, which is rarer than you'd think in Gwynedd.

From the summit you're looking across the Aran range to the south and down into the valley where Bala sits. On a clear day the views stretch far enough to make the climb feel legitimate. The paths are well-trodden and straightforward enough, though boggy in sections after rain - which, let's be honest, is most of the time.

This works best for keen walkers rather than families after a quick stroll. Allow a solid two to three hours for the round trip depending on your pace and which approach you take from Bala. Early morning is your best bet if you want to avoid the cloud that rolls in by mid-afternoon.

If you're staying at Tyn Cornel Camping nearby, Ffridd Lom makes a decent half-day excursion alongside exploring the bigger peaks in the area. It's not going to rival your trip to Cader Idris or Aran Fawddwy, but it's the sort of walk that reminds you why you came to North Wales in the first place. Quiet, unshowy, and genuinely good.