Mynydd Y Gaer

The walk up Mynydd Y Gaer from near Abergele rewards you with proper views across the Conwy Valley - nothing fancy, just good open moorland with the Irish Sea visible on clear days. It's a straightforward hill walk rather than a technical climb, taking most people about an hour to the summit depending on fitness and which route you take from the base.

The peak itself sits at a reasonable height without being punishing, and the terrain is standard Welsh moorland - boggy in places, rocky underfoot, the kind of walk where proper boots matter. You get a genuine sense of being away from it all once you're up there, which is the main draw. No cafes, no facilities, no crowds. Just you, the wind, and the landscape.

This works well for walkers staying at any of the holiday parks dotted around Abergele - Ty Mawr, Golden Sands, or The Beach Caravan Park are all within easy driving distance. It's not a day-long expedition, so you could easily combine it with exploring the nearby coast or heading into Conwy town proper. Kids over ten who can handle a decent walk will get something out of it; younger ones might find it a bit of a slog for minimal reward at the top.

Go when the weather's decent - this isn't the walk for horizontal rain and zero visibility. Spring or early autumn works best, when the moorland's at its least waterlogged. Bring water and a decent map. Free, obviously, being a hill.