Coed Henryd

The woodland at Coed Henryd spreads across a quiet patch of Gwynedd countryside between Caernarfon and the Menai Strait. It's the sort of place locals know well but tourists often miss - good news if you want a forest walk without the crowds.

What you get here is straightforward: well-defined paths threading through mixed woodland, mostly accessible underfoot, with enough shade to make a summer afternoon genuinely pleasant. The trees are thick enough that you feel properly removed from the nearby roads, though you won't find dramatic viewpoints or anything showy. This is genuine working woodland rather than a showpiece forest - that's rather the point.

Families with younger walkers will manage fine on the main paths, though the terrain isn't flat. History types won't find much to grab onto here - it's not the sort of place with Roman forts or medieval structures. But if you simply want two hours moving through trees without fighting for parking or dodging tour groups, it delivers.

Allow a couple of hours for a proper wander depending on fitness. The beauty of staying nearby - Aberafon Camping and Caravan Site sits just five miles off - is you can do this as a bonus half-day activity rather than a main event. Gyrn Ddu Campsite, rated exceptionally highly, is slightly further at under six miles and works equally well as a base.

Best visited on a drier day. Muddy paths aren't a dealbreaker, but they do slow progress considerably. Winter's fine if you're properly booted up.