Is-Afon

The walk up Is-Afon rewards you with one of those views that genuinely stops you mid-stride. This peak sits just outside Bala in Gwynedd, and from the top you're looking across proper mountain terrain - the kind that makes you understand why people spend their whole lives in North Wales.

It's not a massive hike. Most people will get up and back in a couple of hours, which is exactly what this walk needs to be. The path isn't fussy about fitness levels either, though it does climb steadily enough that you'll feel you've earned the summit. The terrain is what you'd expect from Welsh mountains: grass, exposed rock, the occasional scramble that's genuinely fun rather than genuinely frightening.

On a clear day - and you'll want clear weather here - the panorama stretches across the surrounding peaks and down towards the valley. Winter mornings can be magical if you time it right. Summer weekends pull in walkers, but you won't find crowds like you do on the more famous peaks.

Bala itself is a decent base, though if you're camping, Tyn Cornel is only five miles away and honestly one of the better spots in the area. Pair this with walks around Bala Lake and you've got a solid couple of days sorted. The peak works best for competent walkers rather than beginners, and families with older kids will get more from it than toddlers. Allow a full morning or early afternoon to do it justice.