Foel Pandy (Graig Wen)

The walk up Foel Pandy takes about ninety minutes if you're reasonably fit, starting from the lanes near Machynlleth. It's not a dramatic peak - no dramatic scrambling or anything - but the views across the Dyfi Valley make it worth the leg work. On a clear day you can see right across to Cardigan Bay, which is properly stunning.

What you're doing is a straightforward hill walk on decent paths. The gradient's steady rather than brutal, and there's a cairn at the top that marks the summit. Most walkers allow three hours for the round trip, which gives you time to sit and absorb the landscape without rushing. Bring water and something to eat - there's nowhere up there.

This is one for walkers who like solitude more than crowds. You won't find cafes or facilities, and it's free. Come in late spring or autumn when the light's cleaner and fewer people are about. Summer weekends can get busy enough that you'll see other groups.

If you're based at Graig Wen Camping & Cottages (which gets five stars for good reason), this is a natural day out - less than ten minutes' drive away. Gwerniago Campsite works too if you're after something slightly closer to Machynlleth itself. The walk fits perfectly into a week exploring the wider area without feeling like a major expedition. Real value for a morning or afternoon, and the kind of outing that justifies a good breakfast before heading out.