Pen-y-gwaith

The walk up Pen-y-gwaith from Betws-y-Coed rewards you with proper views across the Conwy Valley and Snowdonia beyond. It's not a massive peak - you're looking at around 600 metres - but the climb is steep enough to feel earned. The path starts near the village and winds through woodland before breaking out onto moorland where the horizon really opens up.

On a clear day, you can see right across to Snowdon. On a grey one, which is honestly half the time up here, you get that moody Welsh mountain feeling that photographs never quite capture. Allow two to three hours for a steady round trip. There's no tarmac cafe at the top, just peace and the wind in your face.

Walkers will find this a proper little outing without needing full fell-walking kit. Families with older kids who don't mind a bit of mud will manage fine. It's less crowded than the honeypot trails around Snowdon, which makes it worth the detour. The gradient means younger children might struggle, but determined ones aged ten upwards should be alright.

If you're based at Maenan Abbey Caravan Park or either of the glamping sites nearby - both excellent spots - this fits neatly into a half-day's walking. It's the kind of walk that makes staying in the area worthwhile, rather than a must-do in its own right. Combine it with Betws-y-Coed's riverside walks and you've got a solid few days sorted.