Tal Cefn

Climbing Tal Cefn feels like you're chasing the sky - at 1,677 feet, it's the sort of hill that doesn't announce itself as a mountain but rewards you thoroughly once you're up there. You get proper 360-degree views across Mid Wales, with the Welshpool valley spreading out below and the Pennines visible on clear days. The walk itself isn't bruising; most routes from the surrounding area take between 45 minutes to an hour and a half depending on which path you fancy.

This is walker territory, plain and simple. It's too exposed for a casual stroll with small children, but older kids who've got their legs under them will find it manageable and genuinely exciting. The summit's high enough to feel like an achievement without being so technical that you need proper gear - just decent boots and the sense to check the weather.

The real draw is isolation. You won't find crowds here like you might on Pen-y-ghent or other Lake District types. It's the kind of hill you climb because you actually want to be there, not because the guidebook told you to. If you're staying at Pandy Camping or Riverbend Caravan Park nearby Welshpool, Tal Cefn makes a cracking half-day excursion. Go in early morning or late afternoon - the light on the Welsh hills at those hours is worth timing your visit for.