Llyn y Gwaith

The walk to Llyn y Gwaith takes you properly into the Ceredigion hills, away from the tourist trail that crowds Tregaron itself. It's a mountain lake - not vast, not dramatic - but there's something about its stillness that rewards the effort. The water sits in a cupped valley, dark and reflective, ringed by moorland that stretches out in browns and greens depending on the season.

You're looking at a fairly straightforward uphill trek of maybe 45 minutes from the parking area near Tregaron. The path is clear enough, though it gets boggy after rain and the whole thing can feel quite exposed if the weather turns. It's the sort of place where hikers and walkers will actually enjoy themselves rather than just tick it off. Kids older than ten might manage fine; younger ones could find it a bit of a slog.

There's nowhere to buy a pint at the lake itself - bring water. The nearest proper facilities are in Tregaron, which is a small but decent village with a few decent options. It's free, obviously, and you can spend as long as you like up there. Give yourself a full morning or afternoon.

If you're staying at Cambrian Mountains Glamping and Camping just down the road, this makes an excellent half-day walk that doesn't require a car journey. It connects you to the landscape properly, which is what this part of Wales does best - it's not about ticking boxes, it's about being outdoors in real terrain.