Mynydd Pwll-yr-lwrch

The walk up Mynydd Pwll-yr-lwrch isn't a slog - it's a proper rewards-for-effort kind of climb that sneaks up on you from the Port Talbot side. The mountain itself is modest in height but the views across the Neath Valley and towards the Brecon Beacons make the effort worthwhile, especially on a clear day when you can pick out landmark ridges for miles.

The ascent takes somewhere between ninety minutes and two hours depending on your pace and which route you choose from Port Talbot. It's the sort of walk where you feel like you've genuinely escaped, even though you're only a stone's throw from the town. Families with older kids will manage it fine - there's nothing technical about it, just a steady climb through moorland.

Bring decent boots. The terrain can be boggy in places, and Welsh weather being what it is, you might encounter mist that rolls in faster than expected. That said, it's a clear day you'll spot the industrial heritage of Port Talbot from up here, which adds a strange, compelling dimension to the view.

If you're based at Willow Springs Campsite just down the road, this makes an excellent half-day outing. The peak itself is barely crowded even at weekends, which is refreshing. You're really here for the walk and the views rather than any infrastructure - there's nothing at the top but landscape. Bit steep in stretches, but genuinely worth the effort.