What is the significance of the term 'forest' in medieval times?

In medieval times, a “forest” was any wild ground for hunting big game, not necessarily a tree-covered area. The Forest of Bowland is more the former, mostly lonely moors laced with fine hikes rising up 20 miles west of Appletreewick, beyond Gisburn Forest. For exploring the nearest part of the AONB, Gisburn Forest has good camping, either at Gisburn Forest Hub’s pop-up camping from June through August, or at sites just south.