Foel Hafotty Uchaf

You'll spot Foel Hafotty Uchaf rising from the moorland south of Bala - it's a straightforward hill walk rather than a technical climb, which makes it honest work without the faffing about. The summit sits at 611 metres and rewards you with views across the Penllyn valley, proper wide-open country that stretches toward the Arans. On a clear day you can pick out Cader Idris to the southwest, though the Welsh weather being what it is, you'll need decent luck with visibility.

This is walker territory, pure and simple. The routes up are boggy in places - wear proper boots - and there's no cafe at the top, so bring your own flask and something to eat. Allow two to three hours from Bala town centre depending on which approach you take. The ascent isn't steep enough to punish you, but it's constant work, and the moorland terrain can be exposed when the wind picks up.

Family groups with older kids will manage fine here. Younger children might find the lack of defined paths and the tussocky ground tedious. If you're camping at Tyn Cornel just down the way - 4.1 miles north - this makes a cracking afternoon sortie. Porth Eryri Glamping, sitting at 5.6 miles, is a bit further out but still realistic as a day trip. There's no fee to climb it; the mountain doesn't charge. Go when the weather forecast says settled - Bala sits on the edge of serious upland, and clouds can close in fast.