Foel Lwyd

The walk up Foel Lwyd from Penmaenmawr is one of those local affairs that doesn't make the guidebooks but absolutely should. It's a proper hill rather than a mountain - 599 metres of it - and you can knock out the ascent in under two hours without breaking a sweat. The views across the Menai Strait toward Anglesey are the real draw here, especially on one of those clear North Welsh days when you can actually see past the clouds.

The route itself starts near the town and climbs steadily through moorland with the sea never quite disappearing from view. There's nothing technical about it - good boots and decent weather are all you need. Families with walkers aged ten and up will manage it fine, though younger kids might find the moorland a bit featureless for their taste.

What makes Foel Lwyd worth the trip is that it stays quiet. You won't battle crowds like you do on Snowdon, and the summit feels properly earned rather than just a photo opportunity. Allow three hours for the round trip if you're taking your time, maybe two and a half if you're fit.

If you're based at Ogwen Bank Caravan and Lodge Park just down the road, this fits perfectly into a walking holiday. You've got the bigger peaks nearby if you want them, but Foel Lwyd is the kind of hill that reminds you why people move to Wales in the first place. It's not fancy. It's just consistently rewarding.