Pen Trumau

The walk up Pen Trumau starts innocuously enough from the lanes near Crickhowell, but once you commit to the ascent, the Brecon Beacons reveal themselves properly. It's a proper hill rather than a gentle ramble - steep in places, with enough scrambling to keep things interesting without requiring ropes or serious kit.

What makes this peak worth the legwork is the view once you're up there. The ridge opens up across the Black Mountains, and on a clear day you can see right across to the Sugar Loaf and beyond. The summit itself isn't crowded, which is refreshing. You get the sense of having earned your spot rather than joining a queue.

Allow three to four hours for a decent circular walk, depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top. Early morning is best - you'll have the place largely to yourself and avoid the afternoon tourists. Walkers and fell runners will get real value here; families with very small children might find the steep bits frustrating.

It slots nicely into a Brecon Beacons break. Cwmdu Campsite sits just four miles away and serves as a decent base, while Olchon Valley Campsite a touch further out offers five-star reviews if you want something quieter. Either way, you're well-positioned for exploring the wider range of peaks in the area without feeling like you're constantly packing up and moving on.

Free to walk, naturally. No facilities on the hill itself, so bring water.