Pen Yr Ole Wen

The walk up Pen Yr Ole Wen from the Ogwen Valley near Bangor is proper steep but the payoff is genuine. You're looking at a 903-metre peak that sits in that brilliant stretch of Snowdonia where the mountains start piling up on each other, and once you're up there, the views south towards Snowdon itself are worth every burning leg muscle.

It's not a casual stroll. Most walkers tackle this from the Ogwen Valley car park - allow three to four hours return depending on fitness. The ascent climbs roughly 600 metres through terrain that goes from grassy moorland to proper rocky scrambling near the summit. Bring decent boots and don't underestimate it, especially if weather comes in quick.

This is squarely a walk for serious hikers rather than families looking for an easy afternoon out. Children capable of longer mountain walks will manage it, but younger kids or anyone wanting an gentle ramble should look elsewhere. The reward is a bare, windswept summit with panoramic views across Gwynedd that stretch clear to the coast on good days.

It's free to walk, obviously - just turn up. Early morning is best if you want to avoid the weekend crowds who've camped at Ogwen Bank or one of the other parks dotted around Llanberis and Llyn Gwynant. The mountain's accessible year-round, though winter conditions can make it genuinely hazardous. Combine it with gentler walks in the valley below or couple it with Snowdon itself if you're serious about bagging peaks.