Cynefin Bryn Blew

The walk up to Cynefin Bryn Blew from Dolgellau is steep, proper steep, but the view back across the Mawddach estuary when you reach the summit makes the leg-burn worthwhile. It's not a massive peak by Welsh standards, but that's actually the charm - it's achievable in under two hours from the car park, leaving time for a proper picnic at the top without feeling rushed.

What you get is a genuine hill walker's experience without the crowds you'd find on Cader Idris just over the way. The footpath is well-defined, mercifully waymarked, and the terrain shifts from woodland to open moorland as you climb. On clear days the views stretch across to the Snowdonia range, which is frankly magnificent.

This works best for walkers with reasonable fitness and anyone wanting to bag a peak without committing to a full day expedition. Families with older kids who don't mind a slog will manage it fine. The nearest accommodation is solid enough - Llwyn yr Helm just 4 miles away is highly rated and has both caravans and camping pitches, making it a sensible base for a couple of days' walking in the area.

I'd say go mid-week if you can. Weekends bring out the day-trippers, and a small hill like this fills up quickly. Free to access, naturally. Bring water and a wind-resistant layer - the exposed ridge gets lively even when the valley seems calm.