Bryn Yr Oerfa

The walk up Bryn Yr Oerfa rewards you with proper views across the Powys moorland - the kind of landscape that makes you understand why people settle in Mid Wales despite the weather. It's not a massive peak, which means you're not trudging for hours, but the climb is steady enough to feel like you've earned the top.

From Llanbrynmair, you're looking at a straightforward route across open ground. The terrain is bog and grass mostly, so good boots matter more than technical skill. On a clear day the vistas stretch far enough to make the effort worthwhile; on a cloudy one, you're essentially walking through a moorland grey that some find atmospheric and others find a bit bleak.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not a family destination with activities and attractions - it's pure countryside. Give yourself two hours up and down, less if you're quick on the legs. There's no charge, no visitor centre, no facilities at the top. That's rather the point.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Cringoed, Meadow Springs, Red Kite, or Clywedog Riverside - this works as a half-day outing to break up the holiday. It's close enough for a morning walk, leaving your afternoon free for whatever else the area offers. The moorland here is genuinely remote despite being only minutes from civilisation, which is exactly what you want when you're trying to escape.