Garw-fynydd

The walk up Garw-fynydd takes you out of Ruthin and into proper hill country, though calling it a peak feels generous - you're looking at around 1,600 feet of elevation. That said, the climb rewards you with views across the Vale of Clwyd that genuinely justify the effort. The route itself follows a mix of farm tracks and moorland paths, muddy in places but straightforward enough for most fitness levels.

You'll want a couple of hours if you're taking it steady, maybe ninety minutes if you're fit and know where you're going. The summit isn't dramatic - no trig point, no dramatic views of Snowdonia - but the moorland plateau has a wild, honest quality to it. Walkers will appreciate the isolation; families with young children might find it bit of a slog for minimal payoff at the top.

The real advantage is location. Base yourself at Clwydian Glamping Pods and Campsite four and a half miles away, and you've got this walk on your doorstep without the tourist traffic of Snowdon or Pen-y-ghent. That proximity is worth knowing about. If the weather turns - and it will, this is Wales - you're not stranded hours away from shelter. The Vale backdrop on a clear day is genuinely lovely. Go early, bring proper boots, and don't expect dramatic panoramas. Expect honest moorland and the satisfaction of having walked something proper.