Pen Garn

The walk up Pen Garn, just outside Cardigan, is one of those short sharp climbs that catches you out if you're not paying attention. It's only around 300 metres, but the Pembrokeshire hills don't mess about - the path gets steep quickly and your legs will know about it by the top. Worth it though. The views sweep across Cardigan Bay and inland across the green folds of West Wales, and on a clear day you can see for miles. It takes about twenty minutes to reach the summit if you're moving at a reasonable pace, another twenty to come back down. The whole thing fits neatly into a morning walk, or a quick afternoon outing if you're based at one of the nearby parks like Cardigan Bay Holiday Park or Mwnt Camping. Walkers will get the most from this - it's genuinely good exercise with a proper payoff at the top. Families with young kids might find it a bit steep for what it is, unless they're the determined sort. There's no visitor facility up there, no tea hut or interpretive board, so bring water. The real appeal is the walk itself and those views across the bay. Given how close it is to Cardigan town, it's the sort of place you'd tack onto a longer day exploring the Teifi Valley rather than make a special trip for. Still, if you're camping locally and want to stretch your legs properly, Pen Garn delivers.