Pen Melin-Y-Wig

The walk up Pen Melin-Y-Wig is a proper leg-burner, but it's absolutely worth the effort. This 370-metre peak sits just south of Ruthin and serves as a brilliant vantage point across the Clwydian Range - on a clear day, you can see right across North Wales. The path is steep in places, especially towards the summit, so bring decent boots and allow a good two hours for the round trip.

This one's for walkers with some stamina rather than casual strollers. The views reward you handsomely though. From the top, the landscape just opens up - rolling hills, farmland, and on the clearest days, hints of the mountains beyond. There's nothing fancy up there, just grass, a cairn, and the chance to feel properly away from it all.

If you're camping at Clwydian Glamping Pods - only five miles away - this makes an excellent half-day expedition. It's the sort of hike that works best in morning light when you've got the energy, and it beats going back to the same spot as yesterday. The nearby town of Ruthin has a few decent pubs for post-walk refuelling, which frankly becomes essential after climbing this lot.

Timing-wise, spring and autumn are ideal. Summer crowds thin out, and winter can be slippery. It's free to walk, which is just as well - no facilities up top. This isn't a destination hike but rather the perfect add-on if you're already exploring the Clwydian foothills.