Moel Dyrnogydd

The walk up Moel Dyrnogydd rewards you with views that stretch across Snowdonia like you've climbed higher than you actually have. At 863 metres, it's not a giant - but the ridge approach from Blaenau Ffestiniog feels properly wild, especially when cloud rolls in off the hills.

You're looking at a two to three hour round trip depending on fitness and the weather gods. The terrain is moorland and stone - proper mountain walking boots essential, not trainers. On a clear day the vistas fan out across the slate valleys and peaks around Snowdon itself. In mist, which happens often, it becomes something altogether moodier. The summit itself is straightforward enough, marked clearly, and you won't feel crowded even in summer.

This one's for walkers with actual hill experience, not a family stroll. Kids will manage if they're used to mountains, but younger ones might find the exposure on the ridge a bit much. The hike doesn't suit casual visitors after a 30-minute leg stretch.

Blaenau Ffestiniog sits right at the base - a former slate mining town that's been reinventing itself. If you're staying at one of the nearby sites - Llechwedd Glamping, Llyn Gwynant or Bryn Dinas - Moel Dyrnogydd makes a proper day out that won't duplicate the bigger Snowdon crowds. Combine it with exploring the slate caverns in town, and you've got a solid weekend. Weather and daylight are everything up here, so get an early start.