WildNet - Zsuzsanna Bird
Five Winter Walks
Dress up warm and enjoy an invigorating winter walk through our stunning countryside with these five walks selected by Nic Howes. Each walk has fine views along the way and is packed with notes about features of interest.
Be prepared for deep, slippery mud, except the Hereford City Tree Trail which is as mud free as a winter walk can get. Wear tough walking boots, waterproofs and warm layers as weather is often changeable at this time of year. Why not add an indoor refreshment stop, it’s too cold for picnics! Â
The first three are taken from Nic’s Wild Walks booklet.
The Doward
In the south of the county and close to Symonds Yat, The Doward is rich in wildlife, in fact the most biodiverse in the county with over 5,000 species recorded. This short, 1 mile walk packs quite a punch. There’s limestone cliffs, ancient features, native woodlands, King Arthur’s Cave and remnants of old quarries. You climb up to one of the Seven Sisters Rocks and enjoy far reaching views of the River Wye gorge.
Terrain: Some very steep inclines, narrow paths and rough, uneven ground.
Start point: The walk begins at the Biblins Forestry Commission car park.
Sunday 28 January 2024 - Nic Howes and Ian Draycott, reserves warden on the Doward, are holding a guided, interpretative walk exploring the geology, history, biodiversity and management of Great Doward hill. Book here…
King Arthur's Cave, The Doward
Vagar and Cefn Hills
This more substantial walk will blow the cobwebs away. It takes you onto Vagar Hill and Cefn Hill Common above the Golden Valley. On a clear day there are 360 degree views to Stiperstones, Longmynd, Brown Clee, Malverns, Forest of Dean, Skirrid and the Black Mountains at various points on the walk. Â Once up on the tops, birds to spot are curlew, snipe, skylark and meadow pipit. At 7.1 miles long, allow 3.5 hours to complete the walk.
Terrain: Moderate going; some rough ground and inclines.
Start point: Christopher Cadbury Nature Reserve, near Michaelchurch Escley
Vagar Hill in the Golden Valley
Bredwardine and Merbach
On the other side of the Golden Valley from Vagar hill is Merbach hill. Along the 6 mile walk there are glacial features, ancient trackways, a lost village and Arthur’s Stone, a 6,000 year old burial chamber made of great stone slabs and excavated in July 2023. The walk continues onto Merbach Hill Common where at the Trig point there’s far reaching views to Radnorshire as well as north to Shropshire. C.S. Lewis visited this area and was reportedly so impressed with Arthur’s Stone that it was the inspiration for Aslan’s table in ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’.
Terrain: Some rough terrain and steep inclines
Start point: Bredwardine. To avoid exceptionally steep, muddy, slippery paths, from point 12 follow the road downhill to return to the start.
Arthur's Stone in the Golden Valley
Littley Coppice and the Malvern Hills
This 4 mile walk starts at Littley Coppice, a magical ancient woodland which was gifted to the Trust in 2020. After passing through Littley Coppice, the walk takes in fields before climbing onto the north Malvern Hills and wonderful views west to the Marcle Ridge and east to Gloucestershire. The circular walk then descends to a patchwork of fields and woods before returning to the start. The Sugar Loaf Cafe at the halfway mark provides a welcome refreshment opportunity.
Terrain: ranges from tarmac, through gravel, grass and onto mud; steep gradients
Start point: On the West Malvern to Mathon road.
Littley Coppice, West Malvern
Hereford City Tree Trail
If you’d prefer a walk that’s accessible for all with the added bonus it’s mud-free then the Hereford City Tree Trail is for you. This circular walk takes in the city walls, Cathedral Close and the banks of the River Wye crossing at Victoria Bridge, discovering some beautiful urban trees on the way. There’s information about each tree of interest and the trail includes both native and unusual ornamental species including a large tulip tree and an ancient willow pollard as well as avenues of beech and lime.
The trail is easy to adapt and allows you to join where you wish. Navigate the trail using your mobile device.
Hereford City Tree Trail