Swch Y Llan

The walk up Swch y Llan is steep, relentless, and absolutely worth doing if you're based anywhere near Betws-y-Coed. This peak sits in that dramatic Snowdonian landscape where the valleys feel properly wild, and once you're at the top, you understand why people come to North Wales to walk rather than just visit seaside towns.

It's a serious hike rather than a gentle stroll. Allow three to four hours for the round trip depending on your fitness, and go in decent weather because the path gets boggy and visibility matters. The views from the summit sweep across the Snowdon massif and down into valleys that look basically unchanged since the Victorian walkers first came here. On clear days you can see right across to Anglesey.

This is for proper walkers. If you're the type who likes a gentle ramble and a cream tea, you'll find the ascent tiresome. Families with young kids should reconsider unless they're experienced hillwalkers. The reward isn't a café or visitor centre - it's the solitude and the genuine sense of achievement.

Staying at Porth Eryri Glamping or Tyn Cornel Camping puts you within easy reach, and honestly, a few nights based in that area lets you tackle Swch y Llan as part of something bigger. Combine it with walks around Betws-y-Coed itself and you've got a proper hiking holiday sorted. Free to walk, obviously. Just bring a map and check the weather forecast first.