Llyn Cowlyd

The drive up to Llyn Cowlyd is half the appeal - a proper mountain road that climbs steeply through the Conwy Valley, with views that only get better the higher you climb. You'll find yourself at a reservoir that sits at 300 metres up, surrounded by the dark slopes of Snowdonia, feeling properly remote even though Llanrwst is only a short drive below.

It's a working water supply, so don't expect a busy tourist spot with cafes and facilities. What you get instead is a lake that feels genuinely wild - the kind of place where the light changes dramatically and the mountains feel close enough to touch. The walk around the perimeter is decent for a half-day excursion, though the terrain can be boggy and the weather rolls in fast. Bring proper boots and waterproofs, not trainers and optimism.

Walkers will get the most from Llyn Cowlyd. It's a natural starting point for longer routes into the surrounding peaks, and the vista back down the valley justifies the climb. Families with younger kids might find the lack of paths and facilities frustrating - it's not a destination where you plonk yourself down for the afternoon.

If you're based at any of the nearby caravan parks - Maenan Abbey or Erw Glas are closest at under five miles - this makes a solid morning or early afternoon detour before heading back to a proper lunch in Llanrwst. The journey up itself is the real attraction; the lake is the reward for getting there.