Moel Cwm-Main

Getting to the top of Moel Cwm-Main takes a proper effort, but the ridge walk alone is worth the sweat. This is a serious lump near Bala - nothing like the tourist-heavy peaks further north - which means you'll have space to breathe up there. The views back towards the Aran range are something special, particularly on those rare clear days when you can see right across to the coast.

The walk suits experienced hikers rather than families with toddlers. Allow three hours minimum depending on your route, and the terrain gets boggy in places, so proper boots aren't optional. Start early if you're going in summer - the weather can turn in minutes, and there's little shelter on the approach.

It's free, obviously - just land access - and there are no facilities at the peak itself. Bala sits a few miles south, which is handy for grabbing lunch before or after. If you're camping at Tyn Cornel or glamping at Porth Eryri, both are close enough that you could make this a half-day mission without too much driving about.

The real draw here is solitude. This isn't Instagram-famous, which means you'll likely be alone with your thoughts and the wind. That's either brilliant or dull depending on what you want from a walk. For serious walkers exploring mid-Wales properly, it's worth the detour. For casual ramblers expecting cairns and visitor facilities, look elsewhere.