Pen-Y-Garth

The walk up Pen-Y-Garth is a proper workout, but honestly, that's half the appeal. Starting from the village of Ruthin, you're climbing roughly 600 metres through open moorland - it's relentless rather than technical, so boots with decent grip matter more than mountaineering skills.

Once you're up there, the payoff is genuine. On a clear day you can see across to Snowdonia and out towards the Irish Sea. The views stretch right down the Vale of Clwyd, which is the sort of thing that makes the slog worthwhile. The summit itself is fairly bare - no café, no visitor centre, just you and the landscape - which some people love and others find a bit bleak.

This is walking territory first and foremost. Families with young legs will manage it, but anyone under eight will likely grind to a halt halfway. On a busy weekend, you'll meet other hikers, but it's never rammed. Allow three hours there and back including a breather at the top.

If you're based at Clwydian Glamping Pods just outside Ruthin, Pen-Y-Garth is a natural choice for a half-day excursion. The pods are only a few miles away, so you can knock this off before lunch and still have time for the market town afterwards. Summer's best - winter wind up here is brutal. Head early to beat the afternoon mist rolling in.