Y Graig

The walk up Y Graig starts near Bala and climbs steadily through rough moorland before breaking out onto a proper mountain ridge. Once you're up there, the views across Snowdonia open up like someone's pulled back a curtain - you can see across to Cader Idris on clear days, and the valley floor drops away sharp enough to make you think about your footing.

It's not a massive peak - you won't be gasping for breath like you might on Snowdon - but don't mistake that for easy. The terrain is bare and windswept, which means weather changes fast. I'd allow two to three hours for the round trip from Bala, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's a proper fell walk rather than a stroll, so families with young kids might find it a slog. The payoff is solitude - far fewer people make the effort here compared to the honey-pot peaks nearby.

If you're camping at Tyn Cornel, just up the road, Y Graig makes a cracking morning walk before breakfast, especially in autumn when the light turns everything golden. There's no café at the summit, so bring water and a snack. Free to access, obviously - it's a mountain. Go mid-week if you can. Weekends see a surprising crowd for somewhere so exposed.