Pen Gwyllt Meirch

Getting to Pen Gwyllt Meirch is half the adventure. This peak sits in the Black Mountains, a proper wild stretch of high moorland between Hereford and the Welsh border, and the walk up rewards you with views that stretch across three counties on a clear day. The summit itself is fairly barren - windswept grass and sheep, mostly - but that's rather the point. You're not coming for facilities or interpretive boards; you're coming for the walking and the space.

The climb from the valley floor takes a couple of hours depending on your route and fitness, and it's steep enough that you'll feel you've earned the views. Bring waterproofs. The weather changes fast up here, and what looks promising in Hereford can turn grim within minutes. In autumn and winter especially, the moorland has a wild, moody quality that feels a world away from the lowlands below.

Walkers will absolutely get the most from this. Families with young children might find it a slog, though experienced hill-going kids will manage fine. History types will appreciate that you're walking land shaped by centuries - the Black Mountains are part of the Offa's Dyke landscape, that ancient Welsh-English frontier.

If you're staying at one of the nearby campsites - Olchon Valley Campsite or Offas Dyke Retreat are both within striking distance - this makes a proper day out. Base yourself in the valleys, spend an afternoon on the heights. No charge to climb it, obviously. Allow most of a day if you're not a fast walker.