Twyn Crug-yr-Avan

The walk up to Twyn Crug-yr-Avan isn't long, but it's steep enough that you'll feel it in your legs - in a good way. This modest peak sits above Port Talbot and offers proper views across the industrial landscape and beyond to the Swansea Valley. On clear days you can see right across to the Gower Peninsula, which is rather brilliant for something that takes barely half an hour to reach from the car.

It's a straightforward climb, well-trodden and manageable for families with older kids, though younger ones might struggle with the gradient. The peak itself is exposed - there's no shelter, so weather matters here. I'd go on a clear morning if you can; the afternoon light can be hazy from the valley below.

There's something refreshing about peaks this honest. No café, no facilities, just you and the view. It strips things back to why people actually walk in the first place. Most folk will spend thirty minutes at the top before heading down - it's not a sit-and-read-a-book sort of place.

If you're based at Willow Springs Campsite just down the road, this makes an excellent morning outing before breakfast or a late-afternoon walk when the crowds have shifted elsewhere. Pair it with a walk around the lower valleys or head into Port Talbot itself for lunch. The mountain feels separate from the town below, despite being minutes away - which is part of its appeal.