Hergest Ridge

The walk up Hergest Ridge is a proper leg-burner, but the payoff from the top is genuinely worth the sweat. This isn't some manicured tourist spot - it's a genuine Powys ridge walk that rewards effort with serious views across Mid Wales when the weather plays ball.

You're looking at a straightforward hill walk starting from around Presteigne, gaining height steadily until you hit the open moorland at the top. The ridge itself rolls along nicely once you've done the climbing, with that lovely exposed feeling of being properly out there. On clear days you can see for miles across the border country into Wales and back towards England. The heather and grass underfoot change with the seasons, and in late summer it's genuinely attractive.

This is very much a walker's destination. Families with older kids (say, nine upwards) who don't mind a proper hike will enjoy it. If your children expect ice-cream stops and flat paths, give it a miss. Probably allow three to four hours round trip depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top.

It works well as part of a wider Mid Wales park holiday. Stay at Presteigne Holiday Park or splash out on Hush Hush Glamping nearby, and you've got this plus plenty of other walking routes in the area. No facilities at the ridge itself, so bring water. It's free and accessible year-round, though winter can be properly muddy and windswept. Spring and autumn offer the best balance of decent weather and fewer crowds.