Redhill Dogfield

The highest point in the Forest of Dean doesn't feel like much when you're standing on it - just a grassy rise with a trig point and views that stretch across three counties if the weather cooperates. Redhill Dogfield, near Coleford, is the sort of place locals know about and outsiders either seek out deliberately or miss entirely.

It's less a destination and more a proper walk's reward. The real appeal isn't the summit itself but the journey through the forest to get there - ancient woodland, the odd unexpected clearing, paths that feel genuinely remote despite being only a few miles from civilisation. On a clear day you can pick out the Black Mountains and the Welsh border, which justifies the climb. On a grey one, well, you're just surrounded by trees.

Walkers will appreciate the various routes through Bracelands and Doward - both excellent campsite bases, rated highly and only 4.5 miles away - that pass through this area. It's not a family photo stop or a casual afternoon stroll. You need to be the sort of person who enjoys a solid walk without expecting anything dramatic at the end. The reward is the quiet, the forest floor, and occasionally some proper views. No facilities at the top, no cafe, no gift shop. Just trees and the horizon.

Allow 90 minutes to two hours for a decent walk up from the lower forest. Go when it's dry - muddy paths lose their appeal quickly - and early morning beats afternoons for solitude.