Mynydd y Llan

The walk up Mynydd y Llan is straightforward enough, which is precisely why it works so well as a half-day outing from Llandovery. You're looking at a proper hill rather than a mountain - the sort of climb that gets your legs working without demanding technical skill or scrambling gear. The views across Carmarthenshire unfold gradually as you gain height, opening out to the Black Mountains and beyond on a clear day.

What makes this worthwhile is the relative quiet. You won't fight crowds here like you might on the popular Brecon Beacons peaks just over the border. The summit itself rewards you with 360-degree perspectives of mid-Wales farming country and distant moorland. Allow two to three hours for the round trip depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top.

Families with primary-school-age kids will find it manageable; younger ones might struggle with the distance. Serious walkers treating it as a warm-up before tackling bigger peaks nearby won't be disappointed. The terrain is open moorland with worn paths - boots are wise, especially after rain.

If you're basing yourself at one of the local holiday parks - Cosmos Camping or Aber Glaming in the Brecon Beacons are both within striking distance - Mynydd y Llan makes a cracking addition to exploring the Brecon Beacons Camping and Caravan Park area without the heavy lifting of the major summits. It's the sort of hill that reminds you why South Wales walking has such a loyal following.