Fan Nedd

The walk up Fan Nedd is a proper lung-buster, but the payoff is genuine. You're looking at a 886-metre peak on the western edge of the Brecon Beacons, accessible from the Neath valley side - a route that gains height steadily rather than all at once, which counts for something when you're huffing uphill.

Grassy moorland dominates the ascent. The views expand as you climb, and on a clear day you can see right across to the Black Mountains. The summit itself is modest - no trig point or marked cairn to sign you've arrived - but the isolation is the draw. Far fewer people make it up here compared to Pen y Fan, the showier peak just along the ridge.

Walkers will find this rewards the effort more than casual hikers. The terrain is straightforward but relentless, and you'll want decent boots and navigation skills because mist can roll in fast. Three to four hours round trip from the Neath side, depending on fitness and how long you linger. Early morning visits mean avoiding the afternoon crowds and catching the light properly.

If you're based at one of the local glamping spots - Aber Glamping or Four Falls are closest at just over four miles away - this makes an excellent half-day expedition before a late breakfast back at base. Combine it with the other peaks in this corner for a proper hill-walking holiday. It's not a destination for sitting in a cafe afterwards; it's for people who came to Wales specifically to walk.