Moel Bowydd

The walk up Moel Bowydd is proper steep, and that's before you even reach the decent bit. Rising above Blaenau Ffestiniog's slate quarries, this peak rewards the effort with views across Snowdonia that make your legs stop complaining halfway up. The summit's modest - a cairn and a few rocks - but on a clear day you're looking straight into the heart of North Wales. Allow two to three hours for the round trip depending on fitness, and go early if possible. Weather changes fast up here, so don't trust the forecast you checked at breakfast.

Seriously committed hillwalkers will find this one satisfying rather than spectacular. It's a no-nonsense ascent without dramatic drops or scrambling sections that younger kids might find exciting. Families wanting an achievable peak without technical difficulty would get on with it fine, though very small legs might find the gradient tedious. The path itself is reasonably well-trodden; follow the obvious route and you won't go wrong.

Staying at Llechwedd Glamping just 0.8 miles away makes this an easy morning outing before heading to Llyn Gwynant Campsite or Bryn Dinas Camping Pods for a longer stay. It's the sort of walk that slots nicely between exploring the old slate mines and a proper summit bag without eating up half your holiday. Free, obviously - it's a mountain. Bring water, proper boots, and realistic expectations about weather.