Ysgafell Wen North Top

The walk up Ysgafell Wen North Top is exactly what you want from a Welsh hill - steep enough to feel like proper exercise, short enough to fit around other things, and rewarding enough that you won't regret the effort. It's located near Caernarfon, tucked into the landscape that surrounds Snowdonia's smaller peaks, and it punches above its weight for views.

You're looking at a straightforward fell walk rather than a technical scramble. The summit itself opens up decent vistas across Gwynedd - on a clear day you can see proper distance. Allow a couple of hours return from the carpark, which means families with younger walkers might find it stretches on a bit, but it's not a full day commitment. Bring decent boots; the paths can be boggy depending on weather.

This works well as part of a broader Snowdonia week. If you're based at one of the local campsites - Llyn Gwynant or Bryn Dinas Camping Pods are both close by - you can tackle Ysgafell Wen as a morning walk and still have time for something else. Beddgelert makes a good base too if you want to combine this with walks in the valley.

It's free, obviously. There's no visitor centre or facilities at the top, so come prepared. The walk appeals most to walkers who appreciate honest Welsh hills without the crowds you get on Snowdon proper. On weekends it stays quiet, which says something about how many people actually make the trip. That's partly what makes it worth doing.