Mynydd Pen-cyrn

The walk up Mynydd Pen-cyrn from Crickhowell is steep, proper steep, and worth every lungful. You're climbing a modest peak by Welsh standards - nothing that demands mountaineering kit - but the effort pays off with views that stretch across the Black Mountains and beyond. On a clear day, you can see right across to the Brecon Beacons, which makes the huffing and puffing feel justified.

Most people tackle this from the Crickhowell side, and it's a solid two to three hours round trip depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top. The terrain is a mix of footpath and open moorland, so proper walking boots are essential rather than optional. The summit itself is a bit exposed and windswept - bring a windproof even if it looks calm below.

Walkers with decent calves will get the most from this one. It's not a casual stroll, and young children might find it a drag. But if you're based at Cwmdu Campsite five miles away and fancy something more than a gentle park wander, it's exactly the sort of local peak that makes a proper morning out. The lack of crowds compared to the busier Brecon Beacons spots is genuinely nice.

There's no visitor centre or facilities at the peak itself - bring water and snacks. The real appeal is that raw, open feeling and the sense you're actually working for your views rather than just pointing a camera from a car park.