Mynydd Nant-Y-Bar

The walk up Mynydd Nant-Y-Bar isn't a huge undertaking, but the views from the top make it worthwhile. You're looking at moorland rather than dramatic peaks - this is South Wales, not Snowdonia - but that's rather the point. The ridge offers proper 360-degree visibility on a clear day, stretching across the Neath Valley and towards the industrial heritage sites that define this part of Wales.

It's a solid afternoon outing for walkers who don't want to commit to anything too punishing. The terrain is moorland, mixed with farm paths and the odd scramble, nothing technical. Families with reasonably fit kids will manage it without fuss; expect two to three hours round trip depending on your starting point near Port Talbot.

Historically, this area is thick with iron and coal workings - you'll spot evidence of that industrial past on the approach - so it appeals to anyone interested in how Wales actually works rather than just how it looks. The peak itself isn't commercialised. There's no cafe at the top, no interpretation board, no visitor centre. You get solitude and space, which is increasingly rare.

If you're based at Willow Springs Campsite just down the way, this makes a logical day's walk. Weather-dependent, naturally - exposure on the higher sections means wind can be brisk. October through April tends to offer the clearest visibility. Summer can feel a bit hazy. Worth the trip if you're already in the area; not worth detouring specifically unless you're committed to ticking off Welsh peaks.