Walks from Great Malvern

Steep dramatic hills rising from flat vales, ancient woodland, open grassy commons with bracken and heather, scrub and rock ridge and rolling pastures.

Time: 8h (6h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Steep ascents and descents.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Majestically out of the Severn Plain. Undulating hills, steep ascents and descents and rocky paths and scree. Malvern Hills formed from ancient rock 680 million years old; inspired Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Renowned spa destination from 17th century.

Hilly: three fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 6h30 (5h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Boggy sections; steep descents treacherous in unsuitable shoes; loose scree.

Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Picturesque and historically rich. Riverside paths, fields, woodland and urban approaches. Walk traversing two rivers to reach a Victorian spa town beneath iconic hills.

Greyfriars House and Garden (National Trust)

Time: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Muddy sections; multiple gates.

Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).

Reverse direction: Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership (PDF, inc. GPX) and Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Spectacular (Priory gate). Undulating peaks, steep woodland paths and rocky valley sections. Malvern developed as spa town in 19th century; inspired Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.

Hilly: three fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Steep descents need careful footing; muddy at stream crossings; steep slope near Beacon.

Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).

Similar walk: Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership (PDF, inc. GPX).