Foel Y Dyffryn

The walk up Foel y Dyffryn rewards you with one of those rare South Wales views that genuinely stops you mid-stride. At just over 500 metres, it's not a slog - more a proper afternoon's graft from Port Talbot - but the summit delivers wide valleys stretching toward the Brecon Beacons on a clear day.

You'll find it's moorland walking at its best: rough grass, occasional rocky outcrops, and the kind of wind that reminds you why Wales invented waterproof jackets. The path isn't marked with the precision you'd get at Snowdonia, so bring a map or stick to established trails. Most walkers manage the climb in under an hour, though you'll want longer to actually enjoy the view without rushing.

This is a walker's peak rather than a casual stroll - families with young children might find it a bit exposed and exposed midway, but anyone with decent boots and a bit of stamina will find it worthwhile. The views across the industrial heritage of Neath Port Talbot mix strangely with the wild moorland, which is either striking or a bit melancholic depending on your mood.

If you're based at Willow Springs Campsite just four miles away, it makes a crackling morning outing before breakfast. Go early when mist still clings to the valleys - you'll have the place to yourself, and the light's genuinely stunning. Afternoon visits get blustery, but the trade-off is clearer long-distance visibility.

Free to access, free to climb. Worth the detour if you're hiking seriously in South Wales.