Mynydd Coronwen

The walk up Mynydd Coronwen isn't particularly long, but it's steep enough to make you work for the views. Starting from near Machynlleth, you're looking at a proper hill walk rather than a casual stroll - the climb is relentless and can be boggy after rain, so decent boots matter here.

Once you reach the summit, though, you get something genuine: panoramic views across Ceredigion and beyond. On a clear day (and they do happen in West Wales, despite what locals might tell you), you can see right across the valleys. The peak itself is unremarkable - no trig point, no café, just open moorland and the satisfaction of having earned those views.

This one works best for walkers with a bit of fitness and those after solitude rather than tourist infrastructure. Families with younger kids might find the steep sections frustrating, but teenagers who enjoy outdoor challenges will get something out of it. History buffs won't find much here except the landscape itself.

Allow a couple of hours for the round trip depending on your pace. It's free, obviously - it's a mountain. The best time is late spring through early autumn when the ground's drier.

If you're basing yourself at Gwerniago Campsite or Cambrian Coast Holiday Park nearby, this makes an excellent morning walk before settling in for lunch. It's the kind of hill that doesn't grab headlines but rewards those who bother to climb it.