Mynydd Cymerau

The walk up Mynydd Cymerau from Dolgellau takes you straight into proper mountain country without the crowds you'd battle on Cader Idris. It's a modest peak by Welsh standards - around 800 metres - but the views across the Mawddach estuary and towards Snowdonia make it feel considerably grander than the height suggests.

The route itself is straightforward enough for walkers with decent fitness. You're looking at roughly two hours up and the same back down, depending on your pace and how often you stop to catch your breath. The terrain is a mix of moorland and rocky scrambling, nothing technical, but the ground can be boggy in places so decent boots are essential. Conditions change fast up here, so check the weather before you set off.

This works brilliantly for families with older kids or anyone after a solid half-day walk without needing mountaineering skills. Solo walkers and hill photographers will find plenty to occupy them. The summit itself is a bit of a rocky jumble rather than a tidy peak, but that's part of its charm.

If you're camping at Llwyn yr Helm or Torrent Walk, both within five miles of Dolgellau, Mynydd Cymerau makes a proper local expedition. It's the kind of walk that feels earned without being gruelling. The views on a clear day justify every step.