Mynydd Gartheiniog

The walk up Mynydd Gartheiniog from Dolgellau is one of those routes that sneaks up on you. What looks like a modest hill on the map turns into a proper Alpine-style scramble once you're actually on it, with steep rocky sections that demand a bit of scrambling near the top. The views across the Cader Idris range and down to the Mawddach estuary are genuinely worth the effort - on a clear day you can see all the way to Barmouth, and the Snowdonian peaks dominate the horizon to the north.

It's a walker's mountain, no question. Those with mountain experience will relish the technical scrambling; families with younger kids might find the loose rock and exposure a bit much. You're looking at a solid three to four hours for the full loop if you're starting from the town. Go early morning to dodge the crowds, and don't underestimate how exposed it gets once you're above the tree line - wind can be fierce up there even when it's calm below.

Based near Dolgellau, you're perfectly positioned. Llwyn yr Helm Caravan and Camping Park is only four miles away and gets excellent reviews, making it a proper base for tackling this and the other peaks in the area. The scramble itself is free - you just need legs, good boots, and weather that's playing ball. Start before noon; the clouds roll in hard by afternoon around here.