Penyr Orsedd

The walk up Penyr Orsedd is a proper slog, but the views from the top make it worthwhile if you're in the mood for a decent climb. It's a modest peak near Betws-y-Coed in Snowdonia - nothing that'll take your breath away like Snowdon will, but it's got character and far fewer crowds.

From the summit, you get a solid vantage point over the Conwy Valley and the surrounding fells. On a clear day it's genuinely lovely; on a grey day - which, let's be honest, happens often in North Wales - you're basically rewarded with damp boots and the satisfaction of having done it anyway. The route itself winds through woodland before opening out, which beats slogging up moorland the whole way.

This works well for families who've already tackled easier walks and fancy something with a bit more grunt, or for walkers using Betws-y-Coed as a base and keen to bag a few peaks without driving about. It's not a destination in itself - you won't linger for hours - but it slots nicely into a day's exploring. Allow two to three hours round trip depending on your pace and how long you dawdle at the top.

Stay at Porth Eryri Glamping or Snowdonia Glamping Holidays nearby, both top-rated, and you've got access to genuine outdoor walking without the circus that Snowdon attracts. It's the sort of hill that reminds you why people move to Wales.