Breakheart Hill

The walk up Breakheart Hill rewards you with proper views across the Forest of Dean and beyond - assuming you pick a clear day and not one of those grey Herefordshire afternoons when the mist rolls in thick. It's a modest peak by any measure, but that's rather the point. You're not here for Alpine drama; you're here for a straightforward climb that doesn't demand mountaineering kit or a packed lunch of industrial proportions.

The route itself is pleasant enough, threading through woodland before opening out as you gain height. Most people manage the ascent in under an hour, though you'll want longer if you're with kids or stopping constantly to admire the view. The summit gives you sight lines you won't get from ground level - the Forest stretches out properly from up there, and on decent weather you can pick out the shapes of distant hills.

This works well as part of a broader walking day rather than a stand-alone destination. Mitcheldean sits close by and makes a decent base, especially if you're staying at one of the glamping spots - Greenacres is barely two miles away, which means you can be up and down before mid-morning and still have the rest of the day free. Walkers genuinely interested in the Forest of Dean terrain will get the most from it; families after something quick and achievable won't be disappointed either. Just check the weather forecast first. There's nothing worse than climbing a hill for a view you can't actually see.