Gogerddan Allt Ddel

Dense woodland stretches across steep hillsides just inland from Aberystwyth, offering proper forest walking without the crowds that descend on the coastal paths. Gogerddan Allt Ddel is working forest - you'll hear chainsaws some days and see timber stacks, but that's part of its appeal rather than a distraction.

Walkers who fancy something more challenging than a beach stroll will find plenty here. The paths wind uphill through mixed woodland, with glimpses of Cardigan Bay when the trees thin out. It's not signposted like a national park trail, so bring a decent map and expect to do a bit of route-finding.

Families with teenagers might enjoy it, but anyone with a pushchair should look elsewhere - the terrain is steep and the paths can be muddy after rain. Dog walkers love it here, though keep them close during the shooting season.

Being so close to Aberystwyth makes it a cracking alternative when the seafront gets too busy in summer. You could easily combine it with a morning on the beach or a ride up the cliff railway. Most of the holiday parks around Clarach Bay and Aber Bay are within a short drive, making it a decent option for families staying at places like Clarach Bay Holiday Village who want to stretch their legs somewhere different. Allow two to three hours for a proper walk.