Mynydd Tan-y-coed

The walk up Mynydd Tan-y-coed from Machynlleth is exactly the sort of thing you do when the weather turns decent and you've had enough of the caravan site. It's not a slog - more of a proper afternoon's work that rewards you with views across the Dyfi Valley and Cardigan Bay beyond.

The peak itself sits at around 610 metres, which means it's accessible without needing a head for heights or specialist kit. Most people tackle it from the town itself, following paths through woodland before the landscape opens up. On a clear day you can pick out Snowdonia to the north and the Cambrian Mountains rolling away southward. The actual summit is fairly typical of Welsh hills - a cairn, some wind, a sense of having earned your feet-up time back at base.

You're looking at a couple of hours minimum from Machynlleth town centre, depending on which route you choose and how many times you stop for photos. Families with older kids will manage it fine. Younger ones might find the second half a bit dull unless they're genuinely keen on walking.

If you're staying at Gwerniago Campsite or Gwynedd Holiday Home Park nearby, it's an excellent way to use a morning before heading back for lunch. The path is free, obviously - it's just moorland. Go on a weekday in late summer and you'll likely have it mostly to yourself. Worth doing if you're in the area, though not worth driving hours out of your way for on its own.