Foel Ddu

The walk up Foel Ddu isn't long, but it's relentless. Starting from near Machynlleth, you're climbing proper moorland - the kind that looks deceptively gentle from below and then absolutely wipes you out halfway up. The summit itself sits at 2,047 feet, which means the views across Mid Wales on a clear day are genuinely worth the slog. You get a proper 360-degree panorama of the surrounding peaks and valleys, stretching out towards the Cambrian Mountains.

This is a walker's peak, not a tourist attraction with facilities. There's no café, no visitor centre, no gift shop - it's just you, the wind, and increasingly decent vistas as you climb higher. Most people allow two to three hours for the round trip depending on fitness, though fit hikers can do it in under two. Bring water and wear proper boots; the ground gets boggy and the weather can turn on you quickly even when it looks fine from town.

If you're basing yourself at Gwerniago Campsite nearby, Foel Ddu makes a cracking morning or afternoon outing. It's the sort of climb that appeals to people who actually enjoy walking rather than those after an Instagram moment. Families with older kids and decent stamina will manage it fine, but toddlers and reluctant teenagers might find it a bit much. Go on a clear day - the cloud cover here can be stubborn and the views are genuinely the whole point of the effort.