Foel Tyn-y-ddol

The walk up Foel Tyn-y-ddol isn't long, but it's proper steep. Starting from near Bala, you're climbing 1,500 feet or so of moorland, and the last push to the summit feels genuinely demanding if you're not used to Welsh hills. That said, the views across to Cader Idris and down into the Bala valley make it entirely worthwhile.

This is moorland walking rather than rocky scrambling - you're slogging through rough grass and heather, so decent boots matter. Allow about two hours return if you're moving steadily. The peak itself is pretty sparse; you get a trig point and a horizon that stretches into Snowdonia, but don't expect a café or facilities of any sort.

It's ideal for walkers who want a proper climb without committing to a full day in the mountains. Families with older kids will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the relentless gradient tedious. The moorland is exposed, so weather changes fast - I'd avoid it in mist when navigation gets dodgy.

If you're camping at Tyn Cornel nearby, this makes a cracking morning walk before the day gets too hot. It's the kind of hill that doesn't shout about itself, which is exactly why it's worth doing. You won't queue. You won't see it on a postcard. But you will earn your view.