Twr Glas

A steep scramble through Welsh moorland brings you to Twr Glas, a modest rocky outcrop that offers far better views than its height suggests. The name means 'blue tower' in Welsh, though you won't find much tower-like about it - more a jumble of boulders with a proper viewpoint at the top. On a clear day you're looking across to Cader Idris and down the Mawddach estuary towards Barmouth. It's genuinely worth the effort if you're based near Dolgellau for a few days.

Walkers will get the most out of this one. It's not a casual stroll - the final push is steep and rocky enough that you'll need decent footwear and a bit of scrambling confidence. Most people allow two to three hours return from the car park, which is about right. The route itself is straightforward enough once you're on it, though signage can be patchy in places, so an OS map or decent GPS is essential.

If you're camping at Graig Wen or Hendre Mynach, Twr Glas makes an excellent half-day outing. It's close enough to Dolgellau that you won't spend all morning driving, but challenging enough to feel like you've done something proper. The peak is free to visit and there's no fixed opening hours - you're on the mountain whenever you fancy it. Best tackled in decent weather; in mist it loses its appeal entirely. Families with older kids will manage it fine, but younger ones might struggle with the steeper sections.