Moel Lledr

The walk up Moel Lledr from Blaenau Ffestiniog is proper graft, but it's the kind of graft that pays off. This isn't a manicured hill - it's steep, rocky in patches, and demands respect from your knees on the descent. Once you're up there though, you get views across the Snowdonia slate country that make the huffing and puffing worthwhile. On a clear day the vista sweeps from the quarries below right across to the distant peaks.

It takes a good two to three hours return depending on your fitness and how often you stop for breath. The terrain is rough moorland grass and scree - bring proper boots, not trainers. This is one for walkers who know what they're doing, not a casual stroll for families with young kids. That said, older teenagers who can handle a decent climb will find it rewarding.

You don't need to book or pay anything - it's open access land, and the trailhead is straightforward to find near town. Start early if the weather looks promising, because clouds roll in fast in these hills and can obscure everything within minutes.

If you're staying at one of the nearby campsites - Llyn Gwynant or Bryn Dinas are both close - this makes a brilliant day out that doesn't require driving elsewhere. Combine it with a visit to Llechwedd slate caverns if you want something less strenuous for another day. Moel Lledr itself is uncompromising terrain, but that's exactly why it's worth doing.