Foel Frech

The walk up Foel Frech from Betws-y-Coed is short, sharp, and properly rewarding. You're looking at maybe two hours return if you're not hanging about, which makes it ideal when the weather looks dodgy or you've only got half a day. The summit itself sits just shy of 2,000 feet, giving you decent views across the Snowdonia massif without requiring the full lung-busting commitment of the bigger peaks nearby.

It's a fell-walker's climb rather than a scramble. The path is reasonably clear most of the time, though it gets steep enough to make you work for it towards the top. On a clear day the vista across to Snowdon and the surrounding ridges is genuinely excellent - the sort of view that makes you remember why you came to North Wales in the first place. Rain, though, and you're just trudging through clag like anywhere else in these hills.

Families with older kids will manage it fine. Younger ones might struggle with the steepness and loose ground in places. Serious walkers doing multi-peak days often bag this on the way to something bigger, which tells you its place in the pecking order.

If you're camping at Porth Eryri or Tyn Cornel, this sits on your doorstep - makes for a proper morning sortie before breakfast. Same goes for Snowdonia Glamping Holidays just down the valley. It's free, obviously - it's a hill. Allow two to three hours total and go early to dodge the crowds on busy weekends.