Moel Ymenyn

The walk up Moel Ymenyn rewards you with proper views across the Bala Lake valley and into the Snowdonian ranges beyond. It's not a bruiser of a climb - more of a straightforward ridge walk that takes about an hour to the top from the parking area near Bala. The summit sits at 863 metres, which gives you that satisfying sense of height without requiring fell runner fitness.

Walkers will get the most from this one. The path is clear enough on the way up, and if weather permits, you can see right across to Cader Idris on a clear day. In winter or after rain, it becomes muddier underfoot and the wind picks up considerably - choose your moment. The views aren't dramatic in the Snowdon sense, but they're genuinely rewarding, especially if you time it for late afternoon when the light starts warming the valleys.

Bala itself sits just down the road, a small market town with decent cafes where you can refuel afterwards. The Tyn Cornel Camping site is only four or five miles away, making this a solid option if you're basing yourself in the area for a few days. Allow two to three hours return if you're taking photos and want a proper rest at the top. It's the sort of walk that clears your head without leaving you shattered - something between a leg-stretcher and a genuine hill expedition.