Llyndwr (555 m)

The walk up Llyndwr is proper steep - don't let anyone tell you otherwise. But once you've hauled yourself 555 metres above Port Talbot, you're standing in that rare pocket of Welsh landscape where industry and wilderness collide in surprisingly beautiful ways. From the top, the view sprawls across Swansea Bay, down the Neath Valley, and back towards the Brecon Beacons. On a clear day it's genuinely striking.

This isn't a gentle family ramble. The climb from Port Talbot itself is relentless, so most people tackle it from the forestry tracks on the eastern side - a better bet if you've got kids in tow, though still no doddle. Allow two to three hours for a round trip if you're moderately fit. It's free, obviously, and there's nowhere to buy refreshments up top, so bring water.

The real draw here is for walkers who want proper views without needing to commit to a full day in the Brecons. History buffs might appreciate the industrial heritage spread below - Port Talbot's steelworks have shaped this valley for centuries. If you're camping at Willow Springs just down the road, it's exactly the sort of afternoon mission that justifies staying in the area. The summit gets windier than you'd expect, so dress accordingly and time it for decent light. It's not life-changing, but it's worth the effort if you're already in Neath Port Talbot.