Handsome hills

Whereas the Malverns are formed from granite, their smaller neighbours are limestone, which develops nutrient-rich soils capable of supporting a lush growth of vegetation.

Athough there has been some conifer planting, several areas of semi-natural woodland still survive in these hills, especially on the steeper slopes.

They include a wide variety of trees, including such Worcestershire specialities as small-leaved lime and wild service. The woods are at their peak during the bluebell season, but they're beautiful throughout the year and there always seems to be something in flower.

The first wood visited on this walk is High Wood, which has an unusually dense network of rights of way.

The Worcestershire Way is described below as the most straightforward route through the wood, but you could extend the walk by using other paths if you wish to explore more thoroughly.

Between High Wood and Six Acre Wood you drop down into a delightful 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 wooded hills which enclose it.

Climbing up from the valley into Six Acre Wood, you then walk along the top of a ridge, Whitman's Hill, with enticing glimpses of the Herefordshire countryside to the west.

Among the flowers which grow on the ridge is the exotic-looking early purple orchid, which usually blooms from April to late May.

Descending to Whitman's Hill Farm, it's a pleasure to see a herd of heifers whose ear tags reveal that they are known by names rather than the numbers which usually prevail today.

Madge, Dot, Mavis, Fran, Emma and the rest are a friendly and inquisitive bunch who will probably come rushing across to the fence for a closer look.

From this point on there are fewer woods, and it is a mix of apple and cherry orchards and meadows which dominates as you head back towards North Malvern.

At Birchwood there is a grove of walnut trees, an unusual sight nowadays. There are fine views from Birchwood too, with Worcester laid out on the plain below, Bredon Hill and the Cotswolds in the distance.

FACTFILE

Start: Tank Quarry, North Malvern Road (B4232), North Malvern; GR 770470.

Length: 5.5 miles/8.8km.

Maps: OS Landranger 150, OS Explorer 190.

Terrain: gently undulating; pasture, orchards and woods; two crossings of the A4103 and a short stretch of the B4219 with a couple of bends where care is required.

Stiles: 28.

Parking: Tank Quarry.

Public transport: frequent daily trains and buses (44/46/144) from Worcester to Malvern Link (15 minutes' walk); some of these buses stop at Link Top (5 minutes' walk) as does the 42 from Malvern Link and Great Malvern, while British Camp-Great Malvern-Ledbury service 675 stops at Tank Quarry, Mondays to Saturdays; Worcester-Ledbury service 417 stops at Storridge, Mondays to Saturdays; County Bus Line 0845 7125436.

Refreshments: Knight's Cider Shop at Storridge; New Inn on the A4103.

DIRECTIONS

Follow signs for the Worcestershire Way, heading north along the road. When it bends, 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. There are only two junctions at which confusion is possible: at the first keep straight on and at the second fork left.

Leaving High Wood, the Worcestershire Way descends into the valley of Whippets Brook then climbs out on the other side, soon joining a bridleway which leads into Six Acre Wood. Climb to the top of a ridge within the wood then leave the Worcestershire Way, turning right on the bridleway, then shortly forking right on a footpath (yellow arrow). Keep straight on along the top, ignoring all branching paths.

At one point the path briefly leaves the wood to cross a field but is soon back within the trees. Towards the far end of the wood you arrive at a waymarked crosspaths. Turn sharp right, soon leaving the trees and descending towards Whitman's Hill Farm. Follow the farm track to a road and turn left, taking care on the bends.

Cross the A4103 at Storridge to a footpath opposite, which leads along a field edge to a green lane. Turn left, soon entering Oaken Coppice. At the far side join a lane and turn right. Soon after passing Birchwood Lodge you will see the Worcestershire Way again on the right. Rejoin it and walk across a field towards a cottage.

The Way passes through the cottage garden or you can choose a signposted alternative route if you prefer. It then goes through a grove of walnut trees, and on through woods, orchards and fields to reach the A4103 by the New Inn.

Cross the road to pick up the path again opposite, heading across fields and orchards at Crumpton Hill. All this is clearly waymarked and it's impossible to go wrong until you find yourself in a large apple orchard where the path forks. Branch right to go across the middle of the orchard, not by the left-hand edge.

Continuing through pasture and woodland, the route is easily followed and all too soon arrives at the B4219 by Cowleigh Park Farm. Turn left past the Beauchamp Fountain and climb a flight of steps to join a path leading up to Old Hollow. Turn right to find the steps you used near the beginning of the walk then turn left to Tank Quarry.

6 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.