Fonllech Cairn Circles

Stone circles don't come much more atmospheric than this collection of Bronze Age burial cairns scattered across the moors above Harlech. Three distinct circular arrangements mark where our ancestors laid their dead some 4,000 years ago, and the sense of ancient purpose still hangs heavy in the mountain air.

Getting here requires a proper walk - no car park conveniently placed next to these monuments. The trek across rough moorland takes about 45 minutes from the nearest road, but that's rather the point. These circles were meant to be remote, positioned where the living could honour the dead away from everyday concerns.

History enthusiasts and keen walkers will find this expedition thoroughly rewarding. The stone arrangements aren't dramatically tall - we're talking knee-high markers rather than towering megaliths - but their isolation makes them profoundly moving. Kids might struggle with both the walk and the concept, though teenagers often surprise you with sudden interest in prehistoric mysteries.

Visiting costs nothing beyond boot leather, and you'll have the place largely to yourself outside summer weekends. The circles work well as part of a longer Snowdonia exploration, especially if you're staying at one of the holiday parks around Harlech like Woodlands Caravan Park or Castle View. Just pack proper walking boots and waterproofs - this corner of Gwynedd doesn't do fair weather guarantees.