Pen Tyrau

The walk up Pen Tyrau starts from Bala and rewards you with proper views across the Snowdonia valleys. It's a modest peak as Welsh mountains go, but don't let that fool you - the ascent is steep enough to get your heart going, and the summit itself sits at a decent height to make the effort feel worthwhile.

You're looking at around 90 minutes up from the town, depending on fitness and how often you stop. The paths are well-trodden but can be boggy in wet weather, so decent boots matter. Clear days give you sight lines over to the bigger peaks - Cader Idris catches your eye on the right conditions. In mist, frankly, there's less to it, so check the forecast.

Walkers will enjoy this far more than families with small children. A four-year-old would struggle with the gradient, and there's not much to do at the top except admire the view and eat a sandwich. Teenagers who like a proper hill walk without the all-day commitment? They'll be fine with it.

The whole thing works perfectly as part of a longer Snowdonia trip. Stay at Tyn Cornel Camping, just 3.8 miles away - it's highly rated and a solid base for exploring the area. Do Pen Tyrau on a clear morning, then head into Bala itself for lunch. It's not the most dramatic mountain around, but it's accessible and gives you enough of that Welsh mountain-top feeling to justify the walk.