Mynydd Pen-y-cae

The walk up Mynydd Pen-y-cae rewards you with proper wide views across the Powys valleys - the sort of landscape that makes you understand why people write poems about Wales. It's not a particularly demanding climb, which means families with older kids can manage it without too much grumbling, though the path gets boggy after rain so decent boots matter.

What you're doing here is straightforward: following a moorland ridge that opens up gradually as you gain height. The summit itself isn't dramatic - no stone cairn or trig point to announce you've arrived - but that's rather the point. You get the views without the tourist crowds. On a clear day you can see properly far. On a grey one, which is half the time, you get that moody moorland atmosphere that's worth experiencing in its own right.

Allow yourself two to three hours for a comfortable there-and-back walk. Early morning beats midday if you want to dodge other walkers. Free, obviously - it's just a hill.

Port Talbot sits nearby if you need supplies or a decent coffee beforehand. For a camping holiday in the area, Willow Springs Campsite is only 2.2 miles away and absolutely worth booking - the reviews don't lie - making this a logical morning expedition before settling in for the evening. Four Falls Glamping at 5.5 miles offers something plusher if that's your style. Either base works well for exploring the Powys moorland properly.