Pen-pych Mountain

The climb up Pen-pych Mountain from Port Talbot is steep, honest work, but the payoff when you crest the ridge is proper worth the sweat. You're looking across the industrial sprawl of Neath Port Talbot to the Swansea valley beyond, with the Black Mountains rising purple in the distance. On a clear day, the view stretches far enough to make you forget you started in town.

It's not a particularly long walk - most people do it in under two hours return - but don't underestimate the gradient. The paths are well-trodden and straightforward enough, though they can be muddy after rain. You'll pass through moorland and patches of woodland, nothing fancy, but the landscape feels properly wild once you're away from the roads.

This is really one for walkers who know what they're doing and families with older kids who won't moan about a proper climb. Small children will struggle with the incline. The mountain itself is free to access - there are no gates or fees - and you can set your own pace.

If you're staying at Willow Springs Campsite nearby, Pen-pych makes an excellent half-day outing. The site itself is well-positioned for exploring the valleys around Neath Port Talbot, and this walk gives you a genuine sense of the terrain without eating up your whole day. Go early in the morning when the light's best and the paths are quietest.