Llys Y Frenhines

The walk up Llys Y Frenhines starts deceptively gentle from the Ruthin side, but steepens considerably once you're committed. What rewards you at the summit is a proper vantage point across the Vale of Clwyd - the patchwork of fields, scattered farms, and the Clwydian Range beyond stretches out in every direction. On a clear day, you can trace the contours of the landscape for miles.

It's not a technical scramble, but it's a real walk rather than a casual stroll. Expect 45 minutes to an hour coming up, depending on fitness and how often you stop to catch your breath. The top is breezy even when it's calm lower down, so bring a windproof. Families with older kids (say, 10 and up) will manage this fine, though younger children might find the climb tedious without much to distract them at the summit beyond the views.

Historically, the name relates to a queen's residence - the landscape speaks to that sense of old territorial significance, though there's little remaining structure to examine up there. This works brilliantly as part of a broader Ruthin-based walking trip. If you're staying at Clwydian Glamping Pods and Campsite nearby, it's a straightforward approach and gives you proper hills without overdoing it. The whole area rewards poking around - Ruthin itself is worth half a day, and the Clwydian Range offers more ambitious routes if you want them.

Free to access, naturally. Go mid-week if you can avoid weekend crowds.