The Geopark Way is a 109 mile walking trail through the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark. It extends from Bridgnorth in the north to Gloucester in the south, and throughout the trail the spectacular scenery is showcased through the historical frame of 700 million years as you step on the ancient rocks which form this landscape.
The four counties of Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire are spanned throughout the Geopark Way which combines and straddles sections of upland and lowland Britain with their diverse underlay of rocks. Upland Britain has the hill ranges of Abberley, Suckley and the Malverns with May Hill in the south, and to the east the lowlands extend over the Severn Vale from the foot of the Malvern Hills.
The whole of the Geopark Way is a fascinating visit to the geological past with the additional benefits of spectacular scenery and historical sites and buildings – combining to provide a complete walker’s paradise in natural surroundings.
About Geopark Way
This 109 mile trail is a fascinating delve into the past 680 million years or thereabouts….through the Malvern Hills and Abberley Geopark, passing through millions of landscape years, and an amazing variety of urban and rural scenery.
Distance: Bridgnorth to Gloucester (109 miles) (175 km)
Duration: The trail can be completed in 9 days (10 nights) of walking. If you would prefer to shorten the trail and do just a few days, e.g., from Bridgnorth to Malvern, or from Malvern to Gloucester, please contact us and we will arrange accordingly.
Price: From £765 per person
Highlights of the Geopark Way
- Spectacular panoramic views throughout the trail as a number of hill ranges feature: the Abberley Hills, the Suckley Hills and the Malvern Hills, at 680 million years old (precambrian) the oldest hills on the trail. Not to be forgotten – May Hill in Gloucestershire with its tufted crown visible for miles around.
- The Severn Valley Steam Railway with its wonderfully evocative soundtrack of puffing and whistling accompanying you from Bridgnorth to Bewdley.
- The Severn Bore on the lower reaches of the river – Minsterworth is an ideal place to view this natural tidal phenomenon – where the difference between low and high tide can be more than 14.5 metres – one of the largest in the world.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bridgnorth and overnight.
Day 2: Bridgnorth to Highley (12.8 miles) (21 km)
Day 3: Highley to Bewdley (14 miles) (23 km)
Day 4: Bewdley to Abberley (15 miles) (24 km)
Day 5: Abberley to Knightwick (11.6 miles) (18 km)
Day 6: Knightwick to Malvern (10 miles)
Day 7: North Malvern to Ledbury (12 miles) (19 km)
Day 8: Ledbury to Newent (12.4 miles) (20 km)
Day 9: Newent to Minsterworth (13 miles) (21 km)
Day 10: Minsterworth to Gloucester (8.2 miles) (13 km)
Day 11: Depart from Gloucester after breakfast.
Optional extra day
The Geopark Way offers opportunities for rest days in several locations. Bridgnorth, Bewdley, Malvern, Ledbury and Gloucester are all excellent locations to take a rest day and experience what these thriving towns have to offer.
Bridgnorth is a riverside town, picturesque and busy with a wonderful castle and grounds to explore, and a fascinating history of siege during the Civil War. Both High and Low Town are connected by the steepest inland cliff railway in Britain and Charles 1 was said to have declared the view from the top as “the finest in all my kingdom”.
Bewdley too is a lovely riverside town, with its history as a thriving port during the 17th and 18th centuries, which left it with a wealth of Georgian architecture to admire. There are many independent shops to explore, and numerous pubs and eateries to relax in.
Malvern, in the middle of the Geopark Way, is ideal, with its size, its many charms and opportunities for relaxation, culture, history or just a bit of local Worcestershire hospitality in the many bars and cafes available for the visitor to sample.
Malvern is famous for its spring water and its history as a spa town. There are over 100 springs around the hills and today visitors and locals alike fill their bottles at one of the springs because of the water’s health-giving properties – famous for having ‘nothing at all’ in it.
The Malvern Hills are designated as an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and this beauty is preserved for future generations by the Malvern Hills Conservators, guardians of the hills.
Trips can be arranged to the Morgan Motor Factory where the Morgan sports car is still hand made today, and if relaxation is your thing after several days walking… why not try some therapeutic treatments at Malvern Spa – with its wonderful therapy pool/jaccuzzi with a view of the hills.
What's included
- 9 days walking tour with 10 nights hotel or inn accommodation with full English breakfast
- Luggage transportation to every destination
- Detailed guide book for the trail and clearly marked OS map guide
- Information pack with details of accommodation, the area and any events of interest during your stay
- Help and support from Black Pear Walking Tours whenever required
Accommodation and Eating
Accommodation is good quality, clean, comfortable, welcoming and selected from a range of small hotels, local inns and quality bed and breakfast accommodation.
Breakfast is provided with all accommodation and we will give you advice about local places for an evening meal within a short distance from your accommodation, or in-house where there are no local facilities. For lunch you will be recommended stops en-route, be provided with packed lunches in-house if there are no convenient stops, or you will be able to buy refreshments locally. This is a wonderful opportunity to sample the best of local cuisine!
Travel Information
By Air: Birmingham International Airport is the closest airport to the Geopark Way. Transfers can be arranged on request.
By Rail: Main line stations at Worcester, Hereford and Gloucester. Local stations in the Geopark:Kidderminster, Malvern Link, Great Malvern, Colwall and Ledbury.
National Rail Enquiries: 08457 484950 or www.nationalrail.co.uk
For Journey Planning contact Traveline Public Transport info: 0871 200 2233 or visit www.traveline.org.uk
By Coach: National Express makes regular scheduled services to Worcester, Malvern, Ledbury, Tewkesbury, Newent and Gloucester. Tel: 08717 818178 or www.nationalexpress.com
By Car: if you wish to drive to your Geopark starting location please contact us for information on parking and transfers.