Mynydd Blaenafan

The walk up Mynydd Blaenafan from Port Talbot is a proper slog, but the views at the top make it worthwhile. You're climbing to just over 550 metres across open moorland - the kind of terrain where the weather can turn on you in minutes, so check the forecast before you head out.

What you get is a sweeping panorama across Neath Port Talbot and down to the Bristol Channel. On a clear day, you can see for miles. The peak itself isn't dramatic or jagged; it's more of a broad, windswept plateau. Bring a windproof. The ground underfoot is boggy in places and rocky in others, so decent boots are essential rather than optional.

This is a walk for people who actually enjoy walking, not those after a quick stroll and a cafe stop. Allow a good three hours for the round trip from Port Talbot town itself, longer if you're not a regular hill-walker. Families with young children will struggle - it's steep enough that you'll need them reasonably fit.

If you're staying at Willow Springs Campsite nearby, you're perfectly positioned to tackle this. It's the sort of walk you'll want to do early in the day when you've got daylight and energy. Free to visit, obviously - it's a mountain. The access is straightforward from the town, though parking can be tight during busy periods. Not a destination walk on its own, but absolutely worth including if you're in the area for a few days.