Moel Hafodowen

The walk up Moel Hafodowen takes about ninety minutes from Dolgellau, and honestly, it's one of those peaks that sneaks up on you. You're ambling through moorland that looks unremarkable at first, then suddenly the views open up across the Cader Idris range and down towards the coast. On a clear day you can see all the way to Cardigan Bay.

It's a proper walker's hill rather than a tourist trap. The path is well-defined but never dull, climbing steadily without becoming a scramble. The summit itself is modest - just a cairn and some rocks - but the vantage point makes it feel significantly higher than its 863 metres. The real appeal here is the isolation. You won't find yourself queuing with hundreds of others like you would on Snowdon.

Historically it's connected to local folklore and ancient trackways, though there's not much in the way of interpretation on the ground. That said, locals know it well, and there's something special about following a path that's been used for centuries.

Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find the duration tedious. Allow a good three hours for the round trip if you're not a rapid walker. Spring through early autumn is best - winter weather can roll in quickly up here. The nearby Llwyn yr Helm and Torrent Walk campsites make logical bases, especially if you're planning a proper walking week. It's the sort of hill that rewards an early start, when the light's still soft and the paths are quieter.