Waun Cyrn

The walk up Waun Cyrn rewards you with views across the Black Mountains that stretch all the way to Brecon Beacons on a clear day. It's a proper fell rather than a dramatic peak - moorland grass and heather rolling across open ridges - which means you won't fight crowds or scramble up rock faces, but you will get that sense of space and air that makes Wales worth the drive.

From Crickhowell it's maybe forty minutes to the trailhead, and the ascent itself takes between ninety minutes and two hours depending on your pace and how many times you stop to look back. The path climbs steadily without being brutal, which makes it manageable for reasonably fit families and absolutely brilliant for walkers who prefer navigation and views over adrenaline. No dogs will struggle here - it's straightforward terrain once you're on it.

The real appeal is the emptiness. You genuinely might not see another soul up there, even on weekends. That's become rare enough in Britain that it counts as special. Winter can be boggy and exposed; spring and autumn are ideal. Summer's fine but can feel warm once you're exposed to the elements.

If you're based at Cwmdu Campsite six miles south - a solid spot for a Mid Wales base - this slots perfectly into a couple of days exploring the darker, wilder parts of the Brecon Beacons range. Not Instagram-friendly, but genuinely good.