Rhiw Lwyd

The climb up Rhiw Lwyd is steep, honest work - but the payoff from this peak above Betws-y-Coed makes it worth the sweat. You're looking at roughly two hours up and back, depending on fitness, and the path is well-trodden enough that you won't get lost, though it's muddy after rain. The summit itself sits at a modest 600 metres, but the views across the Snowdonia valleys are proper excellent - you get the sense of scale that the guidebooks promise without needing full mountaineering kit.

This works best for walkers with some stamina rather than families with toddlers. Children who can manage a few hills will find it manageable, though the upper sections do push on a bit. The real audience here is anyone staying in the Conwy area who wants a solid half-day walk without committing to a full Snowdonia peak. Start early if you want to avoid the crowds - these accessible summits can get busy on decent weekends.

If you're based at one of the nearby glamping spots - Snowdonia Glamping Holidays or Porth Eryri are both within reach - Rhiw Lwyd works perfectly as a morning outing before heading into Betws-y-Coed for lunch. No facilities on the mountain itself, so bring water and a snack. Free to walk, naturally. Go when it's clear if you can - on a misty day the views don't justify the climb.