Maenaidd

The walk up Maenaidd from Dolgellau isn't long, but it punches well above its weight. You're looking at a modest peak by Welsh standards - around 790 metres - yet the views across the Cader Idris range and down towards the Mawddach estuary make it feel far more significant than the height suggests.

Start early. The path climbs steadily through moorland, and on a clear day you'll have the whole valley spread beneath you within an hour. On a murky one, you'll be engulfed in cloud about halfway up, which either thrills or frustrates depending on your tolerance for mystery walks. The summit's a bit rocky and exposed, so it's not a casual stroll - proper boots and waterproofs are essential.

Walkers will genuinely love this. It's challenging enough to feel like an achievement without demanding the full mountaineering kit. Families with older kids can manage it, though younger ones might find the exposed sections unnerving. If you're basing yourself at Llwyn yr Helm Caravan and Camping Park nearby, this makes an excellent half-day outing that doesn't require leaving the region.

It's free, naturally - Welsh hills don't charge admission. Allow three to four hours return depending on fitness. Visit in settled weather; Snowdonia cloud cover moves in fast and there's nothing here but mist when it does. The real reward comes when you drop back down and realise how much landscape you've covered from one modest peak.