Pipers Wait

The walk up to Pipers Wait rewards you with proper views across the New Forest - the kind that make you understand why people camp round here for weeks on end. It's not a massive summit, but the climb from Fritham justifies the effort, especially on a clear day when you can see right across to the heathland beyond.

You're looking at maybe an hour up from the village, depending on fitness and how often you stop to catch your breath. The peak itself is modest - just enough space to sit and eat a sandwich while taking in the horizon. Walkers will get the most from this one. It's genuine leg work rather than a casual stroll, so it works perfectly if you're based at Green Hill Farm Holiday Village or Longbeech Campsite and want to burn some energy without spending half the day on the path.

The Forest floor can be boggy, so proper boots matter. Autumn's particularly good - fewer flies and the light comes in at just the right angle to show off the views. Summer's pleasant enough if you start early and avoid the midday heat radiating off the heather.

It's free, obviously. Allow a full morning if you're taking it steadily and want time to actually enjoy what you've climbed for. Fit walkers who know what they're doing might manage it in less, but there's no point racing to the top of something like this. Combine it with a longer Forest loop if you're feeling ambitious - plenty of other paths branch off nearby.