Mynydd y Foel

The walk up Mynydd y Foel from Dolgellau is proper steep in places, but that's rather the point. You're looking at a straightforward hill walk - nothing technical, just relentless - that takes most people around two hours up and back down. The peak itself sits at 863 metres, which sounds more impressive than it feels when you're standing on top, but the views across the Cader Idris range and down into the Mawddach valley are genuinely worth the huffing and puffing.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a casual stroll, and there's nothing much to do once you reach the summit beyond admiring the scenery and eating a sandwich. Kids with good legs and plenty of patience might manage it, but younger ones will likely find the climb tedious. The terrain's moorland and grass, so it gets boggy after rain - check conditions before heading out.

There's no visitor centre or facilities at the top, which keeps things refreshingly simple. It's a free walk, and you can start from various points around Dolgellau depending on your fitness level and how much time you've got. Early morning is best if you want clear views; afternoons often cloud over.

If you're camping nearby at Llwyn yr Helm or Torrent Walk, this makes a solid day out. Pair it with a lower walk around the Mawddach estuary on a recovery day, and you've got a proper walking holiday sorted.