Worcestershire is a county of gentle rolling countryside, winding rivers and distinctive hill ranges that rise above fertile lowlands. Bordered in part by the Malvern Hills, the Clent Hills, the Lickey Hills and the Cotswolds, and threaded by the Rivers Severn and Avon as well as historic canals, it offers some of England’s most rewarding easy-going walking. From orchard country and hop fields to cathedral cities and quiet market towns, Worcestershire blends natural beauty with layers of history.

Walking in Worcestershire brings together 31 carefully chosen routes that explore the very best of the county. The guide includes 28 day walks from 4 to 17 miles, suitable for a wide range of abilities, plus three multi-day long-distance trails for those seeking a greater challenge. Walkers can follow stretches of the Worcestershire Way, explore sections of the North Worcestershire Path and Wychavon Way, or enjoy scenic towpaths along the Birmingham Canal. With bases such as Malvern, Upton, Worcester, Bewdley, Pershore and Evesham, Walking in Worcestershire makes it easy to plan rewarding outings with excellent accommodation and transport links close at hand.

Designed for all seasons, Walking in Worcestershire showcases landscapes that change beautifully throughout the year. Spring orchards burst into blossom and woodlands are carpeted with bluebells; summer meadows hum with wildlife; autumn paints the hills in copper and gold; and winter offers crisp, clear views from the Malverns and firm footing along canal towpaths when lower fields may be muddy. Alongside natural beauty, the routes in Walking in Worcestershire pass through historic towns such as Worcester and Evesham, notable for battles that shaped the nation, and visit abbeys, priories and churches that reflect the county’s rich heritage.

Most of the 28 day walks in Walking in Worcestershire are circular, making them straightforward to organise, while several linear options are included with convenient transport links. The three longer routes range from 49 to 60 miles and can be completed in up to four days each. These include:

• A four-day canal journey from Worcester to central Birmingham, with suggested overnight stops in Droitwich, Bromsgrove and Alvechurch
• The two-day North Worcestershire Path from Major’s Green to Bewdley
• The two-day Worcestershire Way from Bewdley to Great Malvern

Each stage of these longer walks in Walking in Worcestershire can also be tackled as an individual day walk, with accommodation suggestions provided to help you tailor your itinerary.

This guidebook includes:

• 28 varied day walks featured in Walking in Worcestershire, ranging from 4 to 17 miles and designed to suit beginners, regular walkers and those seeking more challenging hill routes
• Three multi-day challenge hikes in Walking in Worcestershire (49–60 miles), complete with accommodation guidance and options for combining stages into longer adventures
• Clear, step-by-step route descriptions throughout Walking in Worcestershire, supported by 1:50,000 OS maps, ascent and descent figures, terrain notes and practical route warnings
• Comprehensive coverage of Worcestershire’s key walking areas, including the Malvern Hills, Clent Hills, Lickey Hills, the Cotswolds and the Severn and Avon valleys
• Public transport information for each walk in Walking in Worcestershire, plus guidance on road access and base locations in towns such as Malvern, Worcester and Evesham
• Downloadable GPX files for all routes in Walking in Worcestershire, providing a reliable digital navigation option alongside the printed mapping

Whether you’re looking for gentle riverside strolls, panoramic ridge walks, wildlife-rich meadows or rewarding multi-day challenges, Walking in Worcestershire offers everything you need to explore the beauty, culture and character of this distinctive English county – in any season.

Walking in Worcestershire – Quick Facts

Guide name: Walking in Worcestershire – 31 Walks including the Worcestershire Way and Malvern Hills
Location: Worcestershire, England, covering the Malvern Hills, Severn and Avon valleys, Clent and Lickey Hills, and the northern Cotswolds.
Routes covered: 28 circular and linear day walks plus 3 multi-day long-distance routes.
Distance range: Day walks range from 4–17 miles (6–27 km), while the multi-day routes cover 49–60 miles (79–97 km).
Typical duration: Day walks take between 2 and 8 hours; the longer routes can be completed in 2–4 days.
Walk type: Gentle countryside walking including canal towpaths, river valleys and panoramic hill routes, with sections of the Worcestershire Way.
Navigation: Step-by-step route descriptions supported by 1:50,000 OS mapping and downloadable GPX files.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, suitable for a wide range of walking abilities.
Best season: Suitable for year-round walking, with hills and towpaths remaining accessible in winter.
Accommodation: A wide choice of accommodation in Malvern, Worcester, Upton, Bewdley, Pershore and Evesham, with guidance included for multi-day routes.

Author Highlight

“Worcestershire is a county for all seasons. In spring, the orchards bloom, hedgerows blossom and many of the woodlands are carpeted with bluebells, wood anemones and ramsons. In summer, the meadows are in full bloom, with butterflies and bees flitting from flower to flower and skylarks singing overhead. Autumn is a time for woodlands to become resplendent with their leaves turning from green to shades of yellow, copper and red, and for some of the trees to bear bright, juicy fruit. And in winter, when everywhere else is muddy, you can take to the Malvern Hills or the canals, where the paths are well-made and remain passable.”

- Julia Goodfellow-Smith, author of Walking in Worcestershire

Route Summary Table

Introduction

Planning your trip

Planning day to day

All about Worcestershire

Day walks

Walk 1 Tenbury Wells

Walk 2 Eardiston and the Teme Valley

Walk 3 Abberley Circular

Walk 4 Martley Circular

Walk 5 Knapp and Papermill Nature Reserve

Walk 6 Malvern Hills End to End

Walk 7 Great Malvern and Worcestershire Beacon

Walk 8 Little Malvern and St Wulstan’s Nature Reserve

Walk 9 The Southern Hills

Walk 10           Castlemorton Common

Walk 11           Birts Street and Castlemorton

Walk 12           Upton and Upper Ham Meadows

Walk 13           River Severn and Croome Park

Walk 14           Old Hills

Walk 15           Worcester – Rivers and Battlefield

Walk 16           Pershore, River Avon and Tiddesley Wood

Walk 17           Pershore to Broadway on the Wychavon Way

Walk 18           River Avon and Bredon Hill

Walk 19           Elmley Castle and Bredon Hill

Walk 20           Broadway village and tower

Walk 21           Evesham and the River Avon

Walk 22           Inkberrow and Abbots Morton

Walk 23           Grafton Flyford Hairstreak Butterfly Trail

Walk 24           Droitwich Spa and Hanbury Hall

Walk 25           Bordesley Abbey Meadows and Arrow Lake

Walk 26           Lickey Hills and Worcester and Birmingham Canal

Walk 27           Clent Hills

Walk 28           Wyre Forest

Walk 29          Worcester to Birmingham along the canal

Stage 1           Worcester to Droitwich Spa

Stage 2           Droitwich to Bromsgrove

Stage 3           Bromsgrove to Alvechurch

Stage 4           Alvechurch to Birmingham New Street

Walk 30          North Worcestershire Path

Stage 1           Shirley to Hagley

Stage 2           Hagley to Bewdley

Walk 31          Worcestershire Way

Stage 1           Bewdley to Knightwick

Stage 2           Knightwick to Malvern

Seasons

The routes are suitable for all seasons. First bulbs, then trees, then meadows burst into bloom. In winter, when low-lying land can become muddy, the hills and towpaths remain walkable.

Centres

Charming bases include Malvern, Upton, Worcester, Bewdley, Pershore or Evesham. All offer accommodation and several walks within easy reach.

Difficulty

Worcestershire is a county for beautiful, gentle walks in undulating countryside that is full of meadows, lakes, rivers and canals. However, the county is also surrounded by hills and hosts several multi-day routes which offer challenge to those who want it.

Must See

Explore the beauty, culture and wildlife of Worcestershire. The county is partially bordered by hills – the Malverns, the Clent Hills, the Lickey Hills and the Cotswolds – and rivers, including the Severn and Avon and several canals, run through it. Worcester and Evesham are famed for battles that both shaped the future of this country. The church has played a significant role in the county, with notable priories in Great Malvern and Little Malvern, a cathedral in Worcester, abbeys in Pershore and Evesham and some exceptional churches. The area is also a major tree-fruit and hop growing region.

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