Hir Fynydd

The walk up Hir Fynydd takes you through proper moorland - the kind of terrain that makes you feel like you've left Wales's gentler valleys behind. It's a straightforward ascent from the car park, nothing technical, but the wind can be fierce once you reach the exposed higher sections. The summit itself isn't dramatic - there's no cairn, no trig point - just open ground with views that stretch across the Brecon Beacons when visibility's decent. On a clear day you can pick out Pen y Ghent and other peaks ridging the horizon. The walk takes about 90 minutes up and back, making it ideal for families wanting something more than a stroll but without committing to a full day's trekking.

Walkers will appreciate the straightforward path and the sense of wildness without having to bag anything too serious. It's the sort of peak that older kids handle well - not overly demanding, just long enough to feel like an achievement. The heather and moorland vegetation change with the seasons, which gives regular visitors reason to return.

If you're staying at Willow Springs Campsite or Brecon Beacons Camping & Caravan Park - both within five miles - Hir Fynydd works as a half-day excursion before heading back for tea. The approach from Swansea is straightforward, roughly 40 minutes' drive. Check the weather forecast before you go; there's no shelter up there and cloud cover can roll in quickly. Best tackled in decent weather rather than pushed on through drizzle for the sake of it.