Moel Gyw

The walk up Moel Gyw takes about ninety minutes from the Ruthin side, and honestly, it's proper worth doing on a clear day. You're looking at views across the Vale of Clwyd that stretch for miles - on good weather you can pick out the Snowdonian peaks to the west. The hill itself isn't dramatic or forbidding, which is exactly why it works so well.

It's a straightforward ascent rather than a scramble, though the path can get boggy depending on the season. Wear decent boots. The summit sits at 1,945 feet and has that lovely, exposed feel where the wind reminds you you're actually somewhere. Families with older kids will manage fine, though younger ones might find the last push a bit relentless - there's no dramatic reward of a café or monument at the top, just the hill itself.

If you're staying at Clwydian Glamping Pods nearby - just five miles away - you could easily make this a morning walk and still have time for a proper lunch in Ruthin afterwards. The town has decent pubs and delis worth exploring. The route doesn't need any gear beyond sensible footwear and a layer for the wind, and there's no entrance fee or booking required. Go midweek if you can to avoid weekend crowds, and don't bother on grey, drizzly days when the views disappear. The walk is purely about the landscape.