Pen Ty-Nant

The walk up Pen Ty-Nant from Bala isn't long, but it packs a proper punch. You're looking at roughly an hour to the summit depending on your pace, and the views across the Dee Valley are genuinely worth the leg work. On a clear day you can see for miles - the kind of vista that makes you understand why people move to Wales.

It's neither a technical hike nor a casual stroll. The path climbs steadily through woodland before opening out onto moorland, and while the final push to the peak is steep, it's nothing that'll have you regretting your breakfast. Most walkers will find it manageable, though children under ten might need a hand with the rougher sections.

What makes this spot work is simplicity. No cafés, no car park faffing about, just a proper hill walk that delivers. You get solitude most days - even school holidays won't have you queuing - and the heather moorland feels properly wild compared to the honeypot peaks further west.

If you're based at Tyn Cornel Camping just two miles away, this makes an excellent morning outing before heading into Bala itself. The market town's worth an afternoon, and the lake is decent if you fancy something less strenuous after. Summer's the obvious choice for weather, but the valley's moody and dramatic in autumn - sometimes that's more rewarding than perfect blue skies.