Foel Cynfal

The walk up Foel Cynfal rewards you with one of the cleanest viewpoints across the Ffestiniog area, and it won't take hours to get there. Starting from the slopes above Blaenau Ffestiniog, you're climbing through proper hill country - moorland that feels wilder than it has any right to, given how close you are to civilisation.

It's a straightforward ascent. The peak itself sits at just over 600 metres, so it's well within reach for family groups with decent boots and a bit of puff. Allow yourself an hour up, maybe forty minutes down if you know what you're doing. The views stretch across the slate valleys and towards the higher peaks beyond - on a clear day you're looking at genuinely good territory.

This is one for walkers rather than casual strollers. There's a rough path but it's not marked like some of the honeypot hills further south. Bring a map or use your phone GPS. The weather whips in quickly up here, so even in summer a windproof makes sense.

If you're basing yourself at Llechwedd Glamping at Plas Weunydd, Foel Cynfal sits nicely as a half-day adventure. Combines well with exploring the slate caverns nearby - gives you that proper Welsh hills-and-history combination without needing to drive far. Go early if you want to avoid the rare crowds, and choose a day when the cloud's lifted. Worth the effort.