1) Setting off from Downhouse Farm, turn left onto the road (Springhill) and head a short way up the hill, across the road and you’ll see a small gate that takes you onto the bottom of Cam Peak.

2) Through the gate you’ll see some steps cut into the path, follow these up and cross over a driveway and you’ll climb steeply up for a short distance. Here you have a choice: you can head straight up Cam Peak (from point 3 to 5) although be warned this the steepest climb to the summit. You can find a more gradual route if you follow the plotted route and take a path that leads around to the front of the peak and there you can ascend from the side where the car park is situated.

5) But we can assure you it is well worth the effort when you get to the top! There are superb views of the surrounding Cotswolds and on a clear day views stretch as far as the Welsh Black Mountains! From the top of the peak follow the path back down the more gradual route, or if you have climbed the steepest section cross over the top. Rather than heading down towards the car park, drop slightly right down to a point where multiple paths converge (point 6)

6) Here you join a section of the Cotswold Way taking the main path up on to the top of the Long Down. Follow that path all the way along to the end.

7) But don’t forget to stop to take in the views, including Downham Hill to the south east (known locally as “smallpox hill” due to the smallpox isolation facility that once stood at its summit) and Tyndale Monument on the skyline to the south west (a tower constructed in 1866, built in honour of William Tyndale, a translator of the new testament who lived nearby).

8) At the end of the Long Down the path drops steeply down, zig zagging down the hillside.

9) Stop at the bottom of the path. Do not cross over the stile into the field, instead take the path to the right and follow it all the way along the bottom edge of the Long Down.

10) The path will emerge at the path cross roads from where you previously took the path up on to the Long Down (step 6). This time take the path that drops down through the wooded area, with high banks flanking either side of the path. Note: this is a bridal way so does get pretty muddy at wet times of the year.

11) You’ll exit the woods on to the front of Cam Peak, from here follow the path down to the car park at the bottom. Exit through the gate next to the car park, cross the road and you’ll see a gate that leads to a path that drops down a few steps and into the predominantly ash woodland. Keep your eyes peeled as roe deer are often spotted in here.

12) When you reach the field, do not go through the gate, instead follow the path left along the edge of the woodland, until you reach a kissing gate. Go through this and follow the footpath towards the remains of an old dwelling, with the footpath leading down the left hand side of this through another kissing gate. You’ll already have spotted Downhouse Farm on your left. From here you follow the road back up the hill to home!