Craig y Pal-Glais

The walk up Craig y Pal-Glais rewards you with views across Swansea Bay that'll make the climb feel less like a slog. It's a proper peak, not some gentle knoll - the ascent is steep enough to get your heart going, but nothing that demands special equipment or a guide.

What you get at the top is worth the effort. On a clear day, the sweep of coastline from here is genuinely good. The bay spreads out below, and you can pick out the curve of beach heading towards Gower. There's a sense of elevation without the drama of higher mountains further north - which means you're not fighting exposure or dodging clouds at 2000 feet.

This is walkers' territory primarily. Families with older kids who don't mind a decent incline will manage it fine. Younger children might find it a bit relentless. The peak itself is fairly barren - no cafes or facilities up top, so bring water and anything you'll need.

For a Swansea base, it slots in well if you're staying at Riverside Holiday Park or SWDA Riverside, both barely two miles away. The walk is accessible enough that you could knock it out in an afternoon without eating into a full day's plans. Black Ewe Glamping is further out, but not so far you couldn't make it work from there either.

Allow two to three hours for the round trip, depending on pace and how long you linger at the summit. Go mid-week if possible - weekends can get busy with local hikers who know the real gems.