Moel Goedog West Ring Cairn 1

Four thousand years ago, Bronze Age people chose this windswept hilltop to bury their dead, and you can still see the stone circle they built on Moel Goedog. The ring cairn sits about two miles northeast of Harlech, marking graves that predate the famous castle by millennia.

What you'll find is a rough circle of stones, partially collapsed but still clearly defined against the mountain landscape. It's not Stonehenge - this is archaeology in its raw state, unmarked and uninterpreted. The walk up takes about 45 minutes from the nearest parking, following sheep tracks across moorland that can get properly boggy after rain.

History enthusiasts and serious walkers will appreciate the solitude here. Families with young children might find the trek a bit much, especially as there's no clear path and the stones themselves won't hold a ten-year-old's attention for long. The real draw is the setting - views across to Snowdonia on clear days make the climb worthwhile.

From holiday parks around Harlech like Haven Greenacres or Min-y-don, it's an easy drive to the starting point. Allow half a day if you're combining it with a visit to Harlech Castle, though the contrast between the two sites - one a medieval showstopper, the other an ancient mystery - couldn't be starker. Come prepared for changeable weather and bring proper walking boots.