Pen y Fan

The walk up Pen y Fan is properly steep, but the reward for that huffing and puffing is worth every bit of effort. At 886 metres, it's the highest peak in South Wales, and on a clear day you're standing on top of the Brecon Beacons with views that stretch across half of Wales. The summit itself is bare and windswept - no shelter, no facilities, just you and the landscape rolling away in every direction.

Most people tackle it from Storey Arms car park, which cuts the walk down to about an hour up and the same back. It's a proper mountain walk, not a gentle amble - the path is rocky, it gets genuinely steep in places, and the weather can turn quickly. Wear decent boots and bring a waterproof, even if it looks fine when you set off. Families with confident walkers in the 10-plus range will manage it fine; younger kids might struggle with the gradient and the length.

There's no charge to climb it, and no time restrictions - you're free to head up whenever suits. Early morning is brilliant if you want to avoid crowds and catch the light properly. The whole thing takes about two to three hours door-to-door from Brecon.

If you're camping in the area, Cefn Cantref and Pencelli Castle are both within easy reach and make decent bases for tackling the Beacons. This walk is the standout though - it's what people remember about the park holiday.