Llyn Caer Euni

The walk down to Llyn Caer Euni takes about twenty minutes from the car park near Bala, and it's genuinely worth the leg-stretch. You're looking at a proper mountain lake - steep-sided, dark water, the sort of place that photographs like a postcard whether you're trying or not.

It's quiet, which is the main appeal. Unlike some of the more famous lakes in Snowdonia, you won't find crowds here. The walk itself is straightforward enough for families with older kids, though the path gets muddy after rain and the final section down to the water's edge can be slippery. Allow an hour round trip if you're not rushing.

Historically, there's an Iron Age fort in the vicinity - Caer Euni translates roughly to "fort of something" depending which Welsh speaker you ask - but honestly, you come here for the landscape rather than the archaeology. The views back towards Bala and across to the surrounding hills are the thing. On a clear day, it's cracking.

Walkers will get the most from this one. If you're camping at Tyn Cornel just down the road, it makes a decent half-day expedition, especially in shoulder seasons when the weather's settled. Bring waterproofs though - this is North Wales, and the weather changes on a sixpence. Photography types and serious hikers will rate it. Younger children who need more immediate gratification might find it a bit of a trudge for what's essentially a lake view.