Garw Fynydd

The walk up Garw Fynydd isn't what most people would call dramatic - it's 761 metres, modest by Welsh standards, and the summit lacks those jaw-dropping views that make you feel like you've conquered something. But that's sort of the point. This is proper walking country, the kind of place where you slog up a hillside with nothing but your own pace and the landscape for company. From Bala, it's an easy hop across to the trailhead, and most fit walkers will bag the peak in a couple of hours.

What makes it worthwhile is the walk itself rather than arriving at the top. The terrain's straightforward enough - no scrambling or exposed ridges - making it ideal for families who want to get their legs moving without the faff of technical climbing. The views from the summit are fine if the weather plays along, rolling moorland stretching out towards Cader Idris, but on a drizzly day you're mostly looking at mist and heather. Go when the clouds are low and you'll appreciate the peace of the place; go on a clear day and you'll understand why this corner of Gwynedd pulls people back year after year.

Tyn Cornel Camping sits just three miles away, so it's perfectly suited to a morning ascent before heading back for lunch. The site's well-regarded, the access straightforward. Garw Fynydd won't give you a story to boast about down the pub, but it will give you an honest day in the hills without the crowds or the expense.