Pengwern

The walk up Pengwern starts deceptively gentle from the Conwy Valley floor, then gets genuinely steep once you're committed. It's a proper fell rather than a casual stroll - expect about 45 minutes of huffing uphill if you're not a regular hillwalker, longer if you're shepherding children with short legs.

What you get at 1,385 feet is a 360-degree view that absolutely justifies the effort. On a clear day you're looking out across the Vale of Clwyd towards Snowdonia, with the coast visible to the north. Rhyl sits just down the road, and on good visibility days the breadth of what you can see from up here is genuinely impressive. Walkers and fell enthusiasts will find it worthwhile - it's not a trivial climb but it's not a full-day commitment either.

The summit itself is modest, just a cairn and some grass, which is fine. There's nothing up there except the views and the wind, but that's rather the point. Allow two to three hours total if you include a proper break at the top.

If you're staying at Plas Farm just down the road, this makes a decent morning or late-afternoon expedition. It's free, and there's no infrastructure to speak of - just find a lay-by near Conwy and start walking. Don't go in fog or heavy rain; you'll see nothing and the descent gets treacherous. Summer weekends bring local walkers, but it's never rammed. Worth doing.