Moel Ednyfed

The walk up Moel Ednyfed starts gentle enough, but don't be fooled - it's a proper little scramble once you get going. This 564-metre peak sits just outside Porthmadog and gives you genuine Snowdonia views without requiring a full day's expedition. On a clear day, the vistas stretch across to Snowdon itself, and the peak of Cader Idris peeks through on the horizon.

It's the kind of walk that works brilliantly if you're camped at Black Rock Sands or one of the other parks clustered around Porthmadog. Families with older kids will manage it fine - the route's straightforward enough, just steep in patches. Younger children might find the upper section testing, though there's no technical climbing involved. Allow two to three hours return, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top.

What makes it worth doing is the relative solitude. You'll see far fewer people than on Snowdon, yet the payoff feels genuine. The surrounding moorland has that wild, windswept character that actually justifies a trek. Bring proper boots - the path gets boggy after rain, and the final push to the summit can be slippery.

The whole thing is free, naturally. Go early if you want clear skies; the weather rolls in quickly here. From Porthmadog itself, it's barely a ten-minute drive to the start. If you're staying at Glan-Y-Môr or Haven Greenacres, this makes a decent morning activity before the afternoon beach runs begin.