Ffridd Rhosfarch

The walk up Ffridd Rhosfarch isn't long, but it's steep enough to get your heart working properly. You're looking at roughly 20 minutes from the car park if you're reasonably fit, pushing 30 if you take it steady. The payoff is worth the effort - you get views across Mid Wales that stretch for miles, particularly impressive on clear days when you can pick out the Cambrian Mountains rolling away to the south.

It's a walkers' peak rather than a casual stroll, so families with very small children might find it a bit much, but anyone comfortable on a decent incline will be fine. The terrain is grassland mostly, so it's not technical, just relentless uphill. The summit itself is modest - a cairn, some wind, and that view. No facilities up there, so bring water.

Machynlleth sits just down the valley, so you could easily combine this with exploring the town's galleries and independent shops. Gwerniago Campsite is about two miles away if you're based in the area - close enough for a morning walk before breakfast. Late spring and early autumn are best, when the weather's more settled and the grass isn't waterlogged. Summer can be busy, winter bleak and muddy. This isn't a destination in itself, but as part of a broader Powys walking trip, it's solid. The views justify the climb.