Trum Y Ddysgl

The walk up Trum Y Ddysgl from Caernarfon side rewards you with proper Snowdonia views without the crowds you'd battle on Snowdon itself. It's a relatively straightforward hill walk - nothing technical, though the path gets steep in places and can be boggy after rain. Most people allow two to three hours for the round trip, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top.

What you get is genuine mountain scenery. The summit itself isn't dramatic - no cairn or shelter to speak of - but the vista across the Snowdon massif and down towards the Menai Strait makes the effort worthwhile. Clear days are essential; in cloud it's just moorland walking. Families with older kids (say eight and up) will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the ascent tedious. Serious hikers treating it as part of a longer ridge traverse will get more from it.

There's no visitor infrastructure - bring water and snacks. The walk is free, naturally, and can be accessed from various points around Caernarfon. If you're camping at Talymignedd or Beddgelert, both very close by, it makes a decent morning's outing before heading elsewhere. In summer it can be busy with locals, but never reaches the mayhem of the main Snowdon routes.

Go in dry conditions and don't rely on a phone signal up there. The walk doesn't justify a full day trip on its own - combine it with exploring Caernarfon's castle or a wander around Beddgelert village to make a proper day of it.