Yr Aran

The walk up Yr Aran isn't a household name like Snowdon, which is precisely why you should go. This 1,370-metre peak sits above Caernarfon in the Snowdonia range, offering proper mountain scenery without the tourist congestion you get elsewhere in the region.

Most people approach from Beddgelert or Nantlle, tackling a steep but manageable ascent that takes around two hours up. The views across the Snowdonian peaks justify the leg work - Snowdon dominates the eastern horizon, but the real reward is the isolation. You'll share the summit with far fewer people than you'd expect from a Welsh peak of this stature.

It's a walk rather than a casual stroll. Decent boots are essential, and you need to be comfortable with scrambling rocky sections near the top. Families with older kids (12 plus) who have mountain experience will manage fine. Casual walkers might find the terrain a bit relentless. Allow three to four hours for the round trip depending on your pace.

The surrounding campsites - Bryn Dinas, Cae Du, and Beddgelert are all within a couple of miles - make this a natural pairing for a park-based holiday. You can tackle Yr Aran as one outing, then explore gentler walks around Llyn Gwynant or the Nantlle Ridge on easier days. No fees to climb it, no visitor centre faffing about - just the mountain and you. That's worth the drive from Caernarfon alone.