Ysgafell Wen Far North Top

The walk up Ysgafell Wen Far North Top from Caernarfon won't take you into Snowdonia's crowds. It's a proper fell, the kind that rewards leg work without demanding technical skill, and the views across North Wales are genuinely arresting on a clear day.

You're looking at a straightforward hill walk - nothing scrambled, nothing exposed, but the climb is genuine enough that you'll feel it in your thighs. The summit gives you the whole sweep of the Llyn Peninsula and inland towards the Snowdon range. On a grey day it can feel a bit lonely, which suits some people and bores others.

Walkers who like solitude will get far more from this than day-trippers after an Instagram photo. You'll need comfortable boots and weather that plays ball - wind picks up something fierce at the top. Allow three hours return from the base, maybe four if you're not a fast mover. Free to visit, no gates, no nonsense.

Camped at Llyn Gwynant, just 2.4 miles away, you're perfectly placed for dawn attempts or afternoon wanders. The nearby Beddgelert Campsite offers the same convenience if you want slightly more facilities. Neither is fancy, both are proper camping bases for serious walking holidays. Skip this if you want manicured paths and cafes at the summit. Come here if you want Welsh hills without the fuss.