Moel Cerni

The walk up Moel Cerni is short, sharp, and absolutely worth the leg burn if you're staying anywhere near Aberystwyth. It's a proper little peak that doesn't take long but gives you views across Cardigan Bay that justify the effort - on a clear day you can see for miles across the water and inland towards the Cambrian Mountains.

You're looking at maybe forty minutes up from the car park, depending on fitness. The path is steep in places, muddy after rain, and frankly a bit relentless, but nothing technical. Families with older kids who don't mind a workout will get on fine here. Young children might find the incline tedious, so don't expect them to enjoy it as much as a gentler nature trail.

The summit itself isn't dramatic - no dramatic cairn or shelter, just open moorland where you catch your breath and take in the landscape. It's the kind of peak that works well as a morning mission if you're based at Aber Bay Holiday Park or Clarach Bay Holiday Village, both within a couple of miles. The views are the whole point, so timing matters. Avoid midday haze and aim for late afternoon light when the coast really sings.

There's no café at the top, no facilities to speak of. Bring water and something to eat. Free to climb, free to park - it's the sort of straightforward Welsh hill walk that doesn't require planning beyond checking the weather and wearing sensible boots. Worth the detour if you're in the area for a week.