The Begwyns

A pair of modest hills rising from the Powys landscape near Road, the Begwyns offer what you'd call a proper Welsh walk with views that stretch across the border country. Nothing dramatic, but on a clear day you can pick out the Black Mountains to the south and the wider Wye Valley spread below. The hills themselves are rounded and approachable - not the wild peaks you get further north, but the sort of place where you can spend two hours wandering the ridgeline without any real scrambling involved.

Walkers will find this most rewarding, especially those staying at Borders Hideaway or Great House Farm just a few miles away. The tracks are well-used and easy enough for reasonably fit families, though young kids might flag a bit on the climb. There's something genuinely peaceful about being up there - feels a world away from anywhere, even though you're close to Hay-on-Wye's book shops and riverside pubs. The Begwyns lack the dramatic draw of bigger attractions, but that's partly their appeal. You get space, solitude, and proper views without the crowds you'd meet elsewhere in Mid Wales.

Access appears to be free and unrestricted, though there's little in the way of formal facilities or signage. Best approach them from Road itself or via the network of quiet lanes that cross this corner of Powys. Allow a couple of hours to take in the walk and the views properly. Early morning or late afternoon light works beautifully here - that golden hour transforms the whole thing.