Take a peak at the Malverns without the hills

This is the Malverns without any real hill-walking, the main point of the walk being to enjoy the lovely woodland which clothes the lower slopes.

If you haven't walked these paths before you might be surprised at the extent of the woodland, and the range of species which thrives on the hills.

From the slender silver birches and berry-laden hawthorns between West Malvern and Upper Wyche, to the magnificent sweet chestnuts and beeches near St Ann's Well, there is a huge and colourful variety to admire.

There are fine views to be enjoyed too, though obviously not so far-reaching as those from the top of Worcestershire Beacon.

Anybody who feels a Malvern walk is incomplete without a peak or two can easily adapt the walk to include the top of the ridge.

The easiest access is from the southern end as you approach the Wyche, or on the other side of the cutting on the path from Upper Wyche Quarry.

At both these points the ridge-top (314m) is only a few strides away, and the Beacon (425m) is not much further.

DIRECTIONS

Walk to the top of Church Street and cross Worcester Road to St Ann's Road. Walk up towards Happy Valley and a few paces after Happy Valley Cottage join a footpath on the right. Turn right at a junction to follow a woodland path bordered by a wall.

The path eventually descends to North Quarry car park. Pass straight through then join North Malvern Road for a few paces before picking up another path which passes behind the clock tower and then back to the road.

Another few paces and you leave the road for Tank Quarry picnic place where you join the Worcestershire Way, which leads back to the road. Just after you pass the sign for West Malvern leave the Worcestershire Way and join a path up End Hill.

The path climbs gently through woodland, back in the direction you've just come, before swinging right so that you're heading north again. It levels out to contour round the hill, soon heading south and briefly climbing again as it bypasses North Malvern.

Ignore branching paths, staying on the main one which eventually descends to a major junction near the road at West Malvern. Keep on in much the same direction on a path signed to the Beacon. The path contours round Sugarloaf Hill to the saddle between Sugarloaf and the Beacon, where there's a stone route indicator.

Initially take the path signed to the Dingle, but don't go down into the Dingle (a steep-sided valley). Instead, branch left to skirt it, soon plunging into more woodland. As you head down towards West Malvern Road look out for the point where a path branches left a splodge of yellow paint on a fallen birch tree confirms you've got the right place.

The path passes houses to become a surfaced track but very soon a grassy path bears slightly left, providing an alternative route, though both soon meet up again at a car park. Keep going through the car park in the same direction.

Pass through another parking area, where a sign warns ''danger quarry'' then take a path climbing slightly left to a pleasant, birch-fringed, grassy clearing with good views. Head south through more woodland. At a fork take the lower, right-hand option then go left at the next fork. A track then descends to the Wyche.

Turn left through the cutting, pass the Wyche Inn and into yet another car park at Upper Wyche Quarry. Pass through the former quarry to find a path at the far side which zigzags uphill in easy stages to the top of the ridge. If you want to return to Great Malvern along the top this is a good place to join the path. However, if you're going to take the woodland option fork right into the trees just before you reach the ridge.

The path initially descends, soon coming to a junction where you continue in the same direction. When you come to a large clearing the steps on the left provide a view of Earnslaw Quarry, but to continue the walk keep on in the same direction towards a fallen tree then descend right on a bridleway which goes down almost to the road but then climbs away from it again.

Reaching a fork, keep left on the higher path which leads to St Ann's Well. Walk past the well, past three green benches and straight on along the higher of two paths, a stone wall on your left at first. The path descends to a junction where you go straight on, a wall on your right now, and a white-painted house on your left.

At the next junction keep straight on, descending steeply to Happy Valley. Turn right to St Ann's Road and Great Malvern.

FACTFILE

Start: the walk is described from Great Malvern, which is equally convenient whether you arrive by train, bus or car, but there are numerous car parks around the hills which provide alternative starting places if preferred.

Length: 5.5 miles/8.8km.

Maps: Harvey Superwalker Malvern Hills (recommended), OS Explorer 190, OS Landranger 150.

Terrain: good paths, many of them hard-surfaced, though some woodland paths may be muddy in places; gentle gradients.

Stiles: 0.

Parking: there is parking in Great Malvern and at various locations along the route.

Public transport: frequent buses and trains daily; Traveline 0870 6082608.

Refreshments: Cloud Nine Tearoom and the Wyche Inn, both at Wyche Cutting.

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.