Malverns ridge walk

[Oxon Crawler]

Time to post my first walk report:
Last weekend the weather looked bit more favourable even down in here, Saturday being blue and sunny. I couldn't stand the itch to get out anymore so for Sunday I've decided to give Malvern Hills a go as they are just about 1 1/2 hour drive from where I live.
Hit the road about 7 am and after a coffee stop and 80 miles I've arrived to Earnslaw Quarry car park at 8:30.
Geared up and hit the track around 9 am going northwards, skirting eastern side of the hills on the track leading to St. Ann's Well. Weather was bit foggy by then but there was a hope for a bit of sun later as forecast by MetOffice. Unfortunately they were once again proven wrong and the sun somehow didn't materialised all the day.

Worcestershire Beacon - highest summit on the ridge


St. Ann's Well building


Past St. Ann's Well track initially then sharply rises out of the surrounding woods, zigzagging towards the first summit of the day - North Hill, with magnificent views opening towards Great Malvern, surrounding plain, Bredon Hill and the ridge itself.

Great Malvern


Worcestershire Beacon - from the slopes of North Hill


From the summit of North Hill it is fairly straightforward walk in southerly direction taking in all the summits of the ridge. There is hardly any need for a map unless you are totally "navigationally challenged" person, especially on the ridge.

View of Worcestershire Beacon with small lump of Sugarloaf Hill in the front


Back towards North Hill (right) and Table Hill (left)


Ascent to Worcestershire Beacon summit ahead


Summit toposcope


Trig point - been there, done that etc etc...


From the summit of WB it is rollecoaster walk along the ridge ahead with some fairly sharp ascents

Ridgewalk


Snowdrops in Upper Wyche


Upper Wyche with Worcestershire Beacon in background


Worcs Beacon, Perseverance Hill, Jubille Hill (back to front) from Pinnacle Hill


Gliders on Pinnacle Hill






Must have been a good day for them as it was brisk winds (albeit chilly).
Now the Herefordshire Beacon w ith British Camp (turning point of my walk) was clearly visible and not so far anymore, or I thought so

Black Hill in the front with Herefordshire Beacon in background


British Camp - zoomed


Ridge back to the north


Panorama of the ridge from Herefordshire Beacon


Millenium Hill


British Camp


British Camp Reservoir


On top of British Camp I've been tempted a little bit to continue along the ridge to finish it but decided against it a I still had considerable walk back to the car ahead of me.
On my way back I've encountered one minor obstacle in form of seemingly neverending stairs I had to climb to get back to my car. They looked a a nice shortcut and very innocent initially but very quickly turned into my worst nightmare. Climbing good more than hundred of them after 19 km walk wasn't nice to put it mildly

Stairway to heaven (or better to say to hell?)


Stats of my walk from my smartphone app (MyTracks):
Name: Malvern Hills
Activity type: Walking
Description: Round trip of Malverns
Total distance: 19.89 km (12.4 mi)
Total time: 5:15:23
Moving time: 4:45:10
Average speed: 3.78 km/h (2.4 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 4.19 km/h (2.6 mi/h)
Max speed: 9.90 km/h (6.2 mi/h)
Average pace: 15.85 min/km (25.5 min/mi)
Average moving pace: 14.33 min/km (23.1 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 6.06 min/km (9.8 min/mile)
Max elevation: 475 m (1558 ft)
Min elevation: 192 m (631 ft)
Elevation gain: 1393 m (4569 ft)
Max grade: 0 %
Min grade: 0 %
Recorded: 03/03/2013 08:45

[ChrisW]

That is a wonderful stretch of the legs OC, with or without the sunshine, I have friends in Worcester who took me wandering the Malverns a couple of times, this really brings back memories of that beautiful place.....fantastic first post mate

[Oxon Crawler]

Thanks Chris, still nowhere near as smashing as your reports.
It was cracking walk, sunshine or not, as I've been more and more desperate to get out and blow off the cobwebs, this one fit the bill just perfectly and on top the Malverns are a little gem in the middle of the country.

[clivegrif]

Hey its good to see my local hills getting an airing on here!

Glad you enjoyed your day - they are a lovely little range of hills.

If you get the chance of a return trip, try starting from the southern end - lower, but quieter and more wooded.

[Oxon Crawler]

Clive - very close to you indeed, just a stones throw from Worcester, on sunny weekends the ridge looks like a rendezvous point for a half of the city
My intention is to do complete ridge at some point from south to north, all the hills included. It will be bit harder but well worth it.

[Ibex]

Nice little walk there OC. Very close to me as well.
Might have to get my boots on this weekend. Even the wife might be up for that one!

Some great photo's as well. Nice action shots of the gliders and the snowdrops look nice too.
Good stuff. Hope it spurs you on to some bigger walks soon....Brecon just a little further down the road.

[clivegrif]

Clive - very close to you indeed, just a stones throw from Worcester, on sunny weekends the ridge looks like a rendezvous point for a half of the city
My intention is to do complete ridge at some point from south to north, all the hills included. It will be bit harder but well worth it.

The walk from one end to the other is really worthwhile. The most accessible start (or end) is the farm at Chase End Street, the path runs from the farm alongside a field and then up into the woods. The steepest climbs are up Ragged Stone Hill and then onto Midsummer Hill.

And yes you are right, you will meet half of the population of the West Midlands on Malvern Beacon on a sunny bank holiday!

[colgregg]

Another set of hills that proves that the magical 3000ft (or even 2000ft) mark doesn't have to be hit to have an exhilerating day out in the country.