Hide 2

The climb up to Hide 2 is steeper than you'd expect from the map, but the payoff is genuine. This viewpoint sits high above Porthcawl, offering one of those views that makes you understand why people bother with the walk at all - sweeping coastal prospects across the Bristol Channel, and on clear days you can pick out the Somerset coastline opposite.

It's a proper walker's spot rather than a family picnic destination. The path gets muddy after rain, the wind can be fierce, and there's nothing in the way of facilities or interpretation boards, which some will find refreshingly honest and others will find frustrating. A decent pair of boots matters more than a packed lunch.

The actual 'hide' element suggests this was set up for birdwatchers - the variety of seabirds moving through these waters is genuinely worth the binoculars. Time it right with migrating season and you'll spot things you won't see from the promenade below.

Allow 45 minutes for the round trip if you're reasonably fit. Free, obviously - it's just a hilltop. Winter visits are often better than summer, when the path gets worn and crowded. Nearby Trecco Bay Holiday Park sits just 3.6 miles away, making this an easy morning outing if you're staying in the area. The viewing platform itself is basic but functional. Not Instagram gold, but genuinely worth the effort.