Pen Bwlch Glasgwm

The walk up Pen Bwlch Glasgwm from Brecon is properly straightforward, which means more time enjoying the view and less time checking your watch. The summit sits at 679 metres, offering the sort of vistas across the Brecon Beacons that make you understand why people drive hours to walk Welsh hills. On a clear day you're looking at ridge after ridge stretching out - it's genuinely good.

This is walker territory, plain and simple. You'll want proper boots and a decent map; the path is well-trodden but Powys weather can turn in minutes, and visibility disappears fast. The walk itself takes a couple of hours up and back, depending on your pace and how often you stop for photos. Families with older kids manage it fine, but younger ones might find it a bit of a slog.

The real appeal here isn't the climb - it's straightforward enough - but the fact that you're not fighting crowds like you do on Pen y Fan. It feels like proper walking country rather than a tourist trail. The views of the surrounding peaks and the valleys below are worth the effort, especially in autumn when the light gets low and dramatic.

If you're based at Pencelli Castle Caravan & Camping Park just down the road, this makes an excellent morning or afternoon out. The park sits perfectly for exploring the central Beacons, and you won't waste half your day driving. Go when the weather forecast promises decent visibility - that's when the walk truly pays off.