⛰️ The Malvern Hills Ridge End-To-End Traverse
Details
I’m leading this hike for London Social Hiking and sharing it here so my KoZa Trails crew know when I’m out on the trails in the UK. 😊
👉 Please note: all sign-ups and payments need to be done through London Social Hiking’s Meetup page here:
https://www.meetup.com/londonsocialhiking/events/314033585/
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Explore Britain’s most stunning trails in a small group of up to 15, travelling together by private minibus to beautiful, remote locations not easily reached by public transport.
We’ve created a list of FAQs to help answer your questions.
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Ready to embark on an epic and challenging “miniature mountain range” adventure? Then join us on a day hike to the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty! We'll walk south to north, taking in all the main summits of the Malvern Ridge. This is a difficult hike with lots of ascents and descents, but all that effort will be well-rewarded by the dramatic scenery! Comparable in distance and elevation to both Snowdon and Scafell Pike, yet on much easier, non-rocky terrain, it's also excellent training if you're eyeing bigger challenges this year, or simply want to stretch your legs and breathe in some fresh air after a long week at the desk.
Rising abruptly from the flat Vale of Severn to the east and the rolling hills of Herefordshire to the west, the Malvern Hills reach their highest point at Worcestershire Beacon (425 metres). Spectacular landscapes combined with a wealth of ecological, historical and geological gems make this a truly unique destination. And here's a fun fact: at around 700 million years old, the rocks that form the Malvern Hills are among the oldest in the UK!
The lofty Malvern range has drawn people since prehistoric times. Its summits offered good vantage points and were ideal for defence in troubled times. Our route will pass the impressive Iron Age hill forts of British Camp and Midsummer Hill, both believed to be over 2,000 years old. We’ll also visit the intriguing Hermit’s Cave (also known as Clutter’s Cave) – a mysterious man-made chamber carved into the ancient rock at an unknown date.
Our hike concludes in Great Malvern, once a fashionable spa retreat for Georgian and Victorian society. For centuries, the Malvern Hills have been well-known for their health-giving spring waters. Many famous people came to Malvern to “take the cure”, including Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens.
DISTANCE & DIFFICULTY
Distance: 9 miles (14km).
Ascent: 760m.
Difficulty: Moderate.
ITINERARY
07:45 Meet outside Hotel Novotel London West, 1 Shortlands, W6 8DR (a five-minute walk from Hammersmith Station)
08:00 Sharp departure
11:00-17:00 The Malvern Hills end-to-end walk, past the summits of Herefordshire Beacon (338m) and Worcestershire Beacon (425m)
17:00-17:30 Drinks and refreshments in the spa town of Great Malvern
17:30 Departure
20:15 London, Hammersmith
TRANSPORT
As on most of our trips, we'll travel in a comfortable 16-seater minibus.