Llyn y Fign

The walk down to Llyn y Fign is steep enough that you'll feel it in your legs, but the small glacial lake that rewards you at the bottom is genuinely worth the effort. It's a proper mountain lake - dark water, bare rock, minimal fuss - the sort of place that makes you understand why people come to Snowdonia in the first place. There's no visitor centre, no café, no crowds. Just you, the water, and the cirque of hills that cradles it.

This is squarely for walkers. Families with young kids will find the descent frustrating rather than fun, and it's not the thing to tackle if you've got dodgy knees. Allow a couple of hours for the round trip from the car park, depending on your fitness. The terrain is rough in places - proper hiking boots advisable. You'll see the lake's best from the rocky shore once you've descended, though the views back up towards Dolgellau and the surrounding peaks are the real draw.

The water's cold enough that only the truly committed swim, but it's beautiful for photography in decent light. Early morning or late afternoon gives you the best chance of avoiding the worst of the wind that can whistle through the valley.

If you're based at Llwyn yr Helm Caravan and Camping Park just 3.7 miles away, this makes a proper morning expedition before breakfast, or an afternoon adventure if the weather holds. It fits perfectly into a walking-focused park holiday in the Dolgellau area - challenging enough to feel like you've earned it, but not so demanding that you'll be exhausted for the rest of the day.