Gwydir Mawr & Bach

Twin peaks rising sharply from the Conwy Valley floor - that's Gwydir Mawr and Bach in a nutshell. The larger of the two sits around 700 metres, while its smaller sibling hovers just below. From Llanrwst, they're impossible to miss; dramatic, craggy, the sort of hills that make you want to lace up your boots immediately.

The walk itself is straightforward enough. Most people tackle both in a single outing - you're looking at three to four hours depending on fitness and how often you stop to catch your breath. The paths are well-trodden and the gradients, while proper steep in places, aren't technical. What sells it is the view from the top. On a clear day you can see right across the Snowdonia range; on a grey one, you're wrapped in cloud and feeling rather proper adventurous.

Walkers will get the most from this. Families with older kids manage fine; younger ones might find the ascent tedious. Historians won't find much to sink their teeth into - these are natural features, not ruins or monuments. But if you're based at Conwy Valley Touring Park or Maenan Abbey, they're practically on your doorstep. Two or three hours of solid walking beats another rainy afternoon in the caravan.

Access is free and unrestricted. Go early, before the afternoon clouds roll in. The peaks are best visited spring through autumn; winter mud makes them unnecessarily grim. Worth the detour? Absolutely, especially if you're already exploring the valley.