Y Garn

The walk up Y Garn from Caernarfon is properly steep and takes the best part of two hours, but the views across the Menai Strait make it worthwhile. You're looking at a Welsh mountain that doesn't need fanfare - just a solid, muscular climb through woodland that opens out onto moorland with real character. On a clear day, Anglesey spreads out below you like something from a postcard, and you can see right across to Snowdon on the other side.

It's a hill walk rather than a scramble, so families with teenagers will manage it fine. Younger children might find the pace tedious, particularly on the way down when everything hurts. The path is well-trodden and marked, though winter conditions change things entirely. Allow a full afternoon from Caernarfon town, and go early if you want a parking spot at the trailhead.

What makes Y Garn work is that it feels genuinely wild - you're not queuing for photos or dodging tour groups. The reward is solitude and that particular Welsh light that makes the landscape look almost unreal.

If you're camping at Talymignedd or Beddgelert nearby, this is an excellent half-day expedition. Both sites sit within easy reach of the mountain, making Y Garn a natural addition to a week exploring the Snowdonia foothills. You won't need booking in advance or special equipment - good boots and a weather eye is enough.