Manod Bach

The walk up Manod Bach from Blaenau Ffestiniog isn't long, but it rewards you with proper mountain views across Snowdonia without the crowds you'd face on the bigger peaks. The summit sits at 2,000 feet and takes most people under an hour to reach from the town - straightforward enough for families with older kids, though the final stretch is fairly steep.

What you get up top is genuinely good. Clear days offer views toward Snowdon and across to the Moelwyn range, and on quieter days - which is often - you'll have the place to yourself. The peak itself is rocky and feels more substantial than its modest height suggests. It's the sort of mountain that doesn't pretend to be something it isn't, which is refreshing.

If you're based at Llechwedd Glamping at Plas Weunydd just 1.7 miles away, this works perfectly as a morning outing before breakfast, or as a late afternoon walk when the light's starting to turn golden. Llyn Gwynant Campsite, six miles south, also makes a good base for exploring this corner of Gwynedd. Either way, you're close enough that Manod Bach doesn't eat into your day.

Wear proper boots - the terrain is loose in places - and check the weather before heading up. On a misty day, you'll see nothing but cloud. But on a clear one, it's time well spent.