Gau Graig

The walk up Gau Graig rewards you with views that stretch across the Cader Idris massif - and you'll likely have the summit to yourself, which is rarer than you'd think in Snowdonia. This isn't a famous peak like its neighbours, so crowds tend to bypass it entirely, which makes the ascent from Dolgellau all the more pleasant.

It's a proper fell rather than a mountain, steep enough to earn your breath but manageable for anyone with decent knees. The path is mostly clear, though it gets boggy in places after rain - which it often does this side of Wales. Allow two to three hours there and back from the town, depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top. There's no charge, no gates, no visitor centre nonsense. Just you, the ridge, and the Mawddach valley falling away beneath your feet.

Families with older kids (say, eight upwards) will find it less exhausting than the bigger peaks, while walkers after solitude absolutely should make the effort. The summit cairn is modest but the panorama is anything but. On a clear day you're looking at miles of undulating moorland and distant peaks. On a grey day - which is honest - it's atmospheric and moody.

Stay at one of the nearby parks like Torrent Walk Campsite just outside Dolgellau or the excellent Llwyn yr Helm if you want a proper base. You're well-positioned for exploring the broader Snowdonia parks, though Gau Graig itself is worth the detour even if you're only passing through. Go early if the weather looks promising.