Moel y Belan

The walk up Moel y Belan from Welshpool isn't long, but it packs a proper punch. This modest peak sits just outside town, accessible enough for a morning mission yet steep enough to feel like you've actually done something. The views across Powys open up as you climb - rolling farmland, the Tanat Valley, and on a clear day you can see right across to the Brecon Beacons. It's the sort of walk where the landscape changes every fifty metres.

The actual summit is fairly bare - a trig point and some scattered stones - but that's precisely what makes it good. No crowds, no facilities, just you and the Welsh hills. Allow about ninety minutes return from the trailhead, depending on your pace and how often you stop to catch your breath or take photos. The ascent's roughly 450 metres, so it's genuinely accessible for families with older kids or anyone reasonably fit, though the final push steepens considerably.

This works beautifully as part of a wider Welshpool area holiday. Combine it with Pandy Camping or Cae Nant Glamping - both within five miles - and you've got a solid base for exploring mid-Wales. The town itself has decent facilities for supplies, and the walk gives you a real flavour of what the region's about without demanding a full day's commitment. Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid the sheep and catch the light properly. Winter visits reveal more distant peaks, though the climb turns muddy and demands proper boots.