Moel Meirch

The walk up Moel Meirch from near Caernarfon isn't dramatic or long, but it rewards you with proper views across the Snowdonia foothills and down towards the Menai Strait. It's a modest peak at 638 metres - nothing that'll test your fitness - but the actual ascent is straightforward enough if you're based at one of the nearby campsites like Llyn Gwynant or Bryn Dinas, both within easy striking distance.

What you get is a decent fell walk rather than anything that demands mountaineering experience. The terrain's a mix of moorland and rough grass with the occasional rocky section. On a clear day the views justify the effort; you can see right across to Anglesey. When the cloud rolls in - which it does regularly up here - you're mostly walking through mist, which some folk find atmospheric and others find tedious.

It's perfect for walkers after something straightforward without the crowds you'll encounter on Snowdon itself. Families with teenagers will manage it fine; younger kids might find the hour or so of steady climbing a bit of a slog. Allow two to three hours including time at the summit for a brew and to sit about.

The walk is free, obviously, since it's open moorland. Spring through to early autumn are your best bets weather-wise, though the Welsh weather is unpredictable at the best of times. If you're camping in the area and wanting to break up the holiday with a proper walk without the faff of heading into the mountains proper, this fits the bill. Not essential, but solid.