Moel Fodig Hillfort

The walk up Moel Fodig rewards you with proof that Iron Age people were serious about defensive positions. This isn't a reconstructed fort with interpretation boards and a gift shop - it's the real thing, raw and substantial, sitting 1,300 feet above Ruthin with views that stretch across the Vale of Clwyd. The ramparts are still there, weathered but unmistakable, and you can trace the outline of what was once a formidable settlement.

It's genuinely steep getting up, especially the final push, so factor that in if you're expecting a gentle ramble. Once you're there though, the effort pays off. Archaeologists reckon this place was occupied around 600 BC and was important enough to warrant serious earthworks. Stand inside the fort and you understand why they picked this spot - nowhere to sneak up on you.

You'll get the most from this if you're interested in Iron Age Wales or you just want a proper hillwalk with proper views. Kids can do it, but they need to be reasonable walkers. There's no cafe, no facilities, nothing to soften the experience. That's rather the point.

Moel Fodig sits nicely as part of a longer walk around the Clwydian hills if you're staying locally. Clwydian Glamping Pods and Campsite is just a few miles away, making it sensible for a longer hill day. Allow two hours return from the nearest car park, though you'll linger if the light's good.