Castell Y Gwynt

The walk up Castell y Gwynt rewards you with one of Snowdonia's sharpest ridgelines and views that stretch across half of North Wales. This isn't a gentle stroll - it's a proper mountain, and the name itself means "Castle of the Wind", which you'll understand the moment you reach the summit. The peak sits roughly 2,400 feet up, with a distinctive rocky crest that makes it unmistakable from neighbouring Snowdon.

Most people approach it from Caernarfon side or via the Nantgwynant valley, both of which offer solid paths that steepen considerably as you climb. The final section gets exposed and scrambling, so you'll need decent boots and a head for heights - this isn't the walk to bring young kids unless they're proper fell-runners. The views are genuine drama though: Snowdon to the east, the Moelwyns, and on clear days right down to the Menai Strait.

Allow three to four hours for the round trip if you're taking it steady. It's free to visit, obviously - it's a mountain. The weather changes fast up here, so start early and check conditions before you go. Late spring through early autumn is your best bet.

If you're camping nearby - and there are several parks within a few miles of Llanberis and the broader area - this makes a cracking day out between gentler valley walks. It's the kind of peak that separates the walkers from the tourists, which is precisely why it's worth the effort.