Pen yr Allt Uchaf

The walk up Pen yr Allt Uchaf isn't long, but it's steep enough to make your legs feel it. This peak sits above Dolgellau in Gwynedd, offering proper views across the Mawddach estuary and into the surrounding Snowdonia hills. On a clear day you can see for miles - the kind of uncluttered vista that makes you understand why people drag themselves up Welsh mountains in all weathers.

It's a straightforward fell walk rather than a technical climb. Most people manage it in under two hours round trip, depending on fitness and how often you stop to catch your breath or photograph the view. The terrain is rough underfoot in places, so decent boots matter more than mountain experience.

Walkers will appreciate this one. It's not crowded like Snowdon gets, and you don't need to pay for anything or book ahead - just turn up and go. Families with older kids who don't mind a proper climb will get something from it, though younger children might struggle with the steepness. History buffs won't find much to grab onto here; this is about the landscape and the physical satisfaction of reaching the top.

If you're staying at Llwyn yr Helm Caravan and Camping Park just outside Dolgellau, you're perfectly placed for this. It's the sort of walk that fits nicely into a morning before lunch, leaving your afternoon free to explore Dolgellau itself or tackle something longer in the national park.