Pen Coed Mawr

The walk up Pen Coed Mawr from Ruthin is straightforward but rewarding, taking you onto moorland with proper views across the Clwydian range. It's not a massive peak - 563 metres - but the approach climbs steadily through woodland before opening onto heather and grass, and that moment when the trees drop away is genuinely lovely.

You get panoramic views across Denbighshire from the top, with the Vale of Clwyd spreading out below. On a clear day you can pick out peaks for miles. The walk takes roughly two hours return from the town, depending on pace and how long you linger. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find the moorland section a bit exposed and the climb tedious.

Historywise there's an Iron Age fort up there, though the earthworks are subtle - you need to know what you're looking at. This is more about the walking and the views than archaeological drama. It's free, obviously, and you can tackle it any time.

If you're camping at Clwydian Glamping Pods nearby, this makes a proper half-day outing before heading back for a fire and some decent food. Ruthin itself has cafes and shops worth a browse once you've finished. The whole area - Pen Coed Mawr included - feels genuinely wild for somewhere so accessible to the lowlands. Worth the detour if you're in North Wales, though don't expect anything too strenuous.