THEY may be less dramatic than the Malverns, but the gentle green hills which lie to the north are just as beautiful, if not more so. With their lush vegetation, undemanding contours and secluded valleys, they are perfect territory for the discerning walker - yet it's seldom that you will meet another walker here.
While the Malverns are formed from granite, their smaller neighbours are limestone, which develops nutrient-rich soils capable of supporting a wider variety of vegetation, including many species of wild flowers in spring and early summer.
The woods are at their most beautiful at bluebell-time but they are lovely throughout the year. Species which continue flowering after the bluebells have finished include red campion (which is pink), wild garlic and the exotic-looking early purple orchid, one of only a few British orchids to grow in woodland.
High Wood benefits from an unusually dense network of footpaths so you may wish to expand on the route described here. However, it can be a confusing place so you will need an OS Explorer map - but don't rely on it completely as the paths shown on the map don't entirely correspond with those on the ground. It's only a small wood, though, so it's hard to be lost for very long.
Between High Wood and Six Acre Wood you drop down into a beautiful valley carved out by Whippets Brook, which rises at West Malvern. Though not far from the B4219, this is a peaceful, secluded valley with lovely views of the enclosing hills.
The walk heads north from Six Acre Wood but if you wish to extend it a little you could continue south along the ridge top into Cother Wood, part of which is leased by Herefordshire Nature Trust. It's a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and is graced by trees such as small-leaved lime and wild service. At one point, on the west-facing slope, the trees give way to grassland where there was once a small quarry. There is a rich limestone flora here, at its peak from May to July. Species include orchids, rockrose and yellow-wort.
The last leg of the walk is mainly in attractive orchard country, where apple is the dominant crop, with a sprinkling of other types of fruit. Many of the apples are destined to become cider and there are also a few perry pears still grown in this area. Perry is a regional speciality similar to cider but much less popular. The perry pear orchards are in decline and may not survive much longer.
DIRECTIONS
LEAVING Tank Quarry, follow signs for the Worcestershire Way, heading north beside the road. When it bends left, descend steps and cross Old Hollow to join the southbound Worcestershire Way. Head for the far left corner of a pasture, then turn right to enter High Wood. Follow the Worcestershire Way through the wood.
Leaving High Wood, the Way descends into the valley of Whippets Brook then climbs out on the other side, soon joining a bridleway that leads into Six Acre Wood. Climb to the top of a ridge within the wood then turn left, going south along the ridge.
After 400m a bridleway crosses the ridge - turn right on this, leaving the Worcestershire Way behind (or keep straight on, if you want to explore Cother Wood, then retrace your steps to this point). Follow the bridleway downhill to the edge of the wood then turn right as it swings north to meet a farm road at Vinesend.
Turn left past Lower Vinesend Farm then join another bridleway on the right which very quickly leads to a junction with a footpath. Turn right on the footpath, climbing to the top of Whitman's Hill. Keep straight on at a junction then descend past Whitman's Hill Farm to meet the B4219 near Storridge.
Cross to Knight's Cider and join a track near the shop. When the track bends right, keep straight on instead, through a hedge gap into an orchard. Continue uphill, shortly climbing steps and turning right on a track. Turn left at a T-junction then fork right to bypass a farm, following a track through orchards.
The track then continues through Rough Hill Wood until a stile gives access to sheep pasture. Go straight on, soon joining an obvious holloway that descends to a junction at the bottom of the slope. Go across the field, bearing just a little to the left, to meet the Worcestershire Way by Whippets Brook.
Turn right and follow the southbound Way through woods and fields to meet the B4219 at Cowleigh Park. Turn left, then right to climb to Old Hollow. Turn right, then left to retrace your steps to Tank Quarry.
FACTFILE
Start: Tank Quarry picnic place, North Malvern Road (B4232), North Malvern, grid reference SO770470.
Length: 41/2 miles/7.2km.
Maps: OS Explorer 190, OS Landranger 150.
Terrain: Undulating, with pasture, orchard and woodland.
Stiles: 10.
Parking: Tank Quarry.
Public transport: Frequent daily buses and trains to Malvern Link and Great Malvern -Tank Quarry is about 15 minutes walk from Malvern Link, and very slightly further from Great Malvern, but some buses stop at Link Top, which is only five minutes away; if you need a bus to the very start you should change at Great Malvern to the 675 (Mondays to Saturdays) which will drop you at Tank Quarry; another useful alternative is the 417 from Worcester to Storridge (Mondays to Saturdays) ; Traveline 0870 608 2608.
Refreshments: Knight's Cider at Storridge, pubs and shops in North Malvern.
DISCLAIMER
This walk has been carefully checked and the directions are believed to be correct at the time of publication. No responsibility is accepted by either the author or publisher for errors or omissions, or for any loss or injury, however caused.
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