Y Ffridd

The walk up Y Ffridd from near Welshpool is straightforward enough, and the summit rewards you with proper views across the Tanat Valley and beyond. On a clear day you can see for miles - the sort of thing that makes you understand why people live out here. It's not dramatic or peak-bagging famous, but it's a decent leg-stretcher if you're staying at one of the holiday parks dotted round the area like Tanat Holiday Park or Valley View.

The climb itself takes under an hour for most people, nothing too steep, and the terrain is manageable even in muddy conditions. You're looking at a straightforward up-and-back job rather than a circuit, which keeps it simple. Families with older kids will manage it fine; very young ones might find it a bit dull on the way up since there's not much to stop and look at until you reach the top.

Go when the weather's cooperating - rainy days render the views pointless, and the wind can be properly fierce. Early morning or late afternoon gives you the best light across the valley. Once you're done here, you're well-placed to explore the quieter corners of mid-Wales, or head back to base camp at Fir View Tan Y Ffridd or one of the other parks nearby for a cuppa and a sit-down. It's the sort of walk that works best as part of a longer week rather than a destination in itself.