MALVERN HILLS (UK)
MALVERN WALKING
FESTIVAL 2009
9 DAYS OF THEMED WALKS
IN ELGAR COUNTRY
Saturday 30th May to Sunday 7th June 2009
Click 2009 WALKS LISTING link at bottom of this
page if you want to see what you have missed
This year we used quick & easy on-line booking
The Malvern Walking Festival 2009 took place from Saturday 30th May to Sunday 7th June inclusive. 2009 is the 75th anniversary Edward Elgar's death, walkers walked the paths that Elgar walked and now have some understanding why he became so inspired.
All of the walks were led by enthusiastic leaders who will gave a wealth of information throughout their walk.
The 2009 programme contained 36 walks. There was the usual wide range of walks to satisfy most tastes from the timid beginner to the most experienced walker. Walks ranged from family walks to a walk across the Malvern Hills from End to End. For the very serious walker we were delighted to announce that our flag-ship walk in 2009 was to give you the chance to be amongst the first to experience a guided walk over the full 109 miles of the new Abberley and Malvern Hills "Geopark Way" which runs from Bridgnorth to Gloucester. For full details click on the 2009 WALKS LISTING link at the bottom of this page.
We had walkers visit Malvern from all over the country to take part, one young lady travelled all the way from California, in the USA, just to take part in walking the full 109 miles of the GeoPark Way walk.
To see how the GeoPark walk went click here to see the daily BLOG keptby walk leader Anthony Collis, on the BBC Hereford & Worcester web site.
Planning for the 2010 Malvern Walking Festival starts the first week of July 2009. Watch this web-site for more details as soon as they become available.
All walkers who registered on-line for the 2009 Malvern Walking Festival will be informed by e-mail of our 2010 plans as soon as they are available
Meandering its way for 109 miles through the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark 
from Bridgnorth to Gloucester, the Geopark Way passes through stunning countryside as it explores 700 million years of geological history. It is the first long distance trail in the United Kingdom specifically aimed at introducing the walker to geology and landscape.
The trail offers varied walking alongside rivers, through forests, along ridges and across valley floors; all with majestic views to match. Passing through an assortment of habitats there is a plethora of wildlife adding to the occasion. Quaint villages and towns dot the route bringing further elements of exploration and enchantment.
All this is our heritage. Please enjoy it and help to keep it for our children and all who follow in our footsteps.
Click here to download a 2 Page PDF Geopark Way Map with description
Accommodation list & local information is available at
Malvern Tourist Information Centre
Website: www.malvernhills.gov.uk/tourism
Tel: 01684 892289
Email: malvern.tic@malvernhills.gov.uk
Accommodation may also be found
on the following Web Sites
The Malvern Hills Hotel
&
Short Holiday Lets by Philip Laney & Jolly
&
Malvern Bed & Breakfast Consortium
&
Malvern Accomodation
&
The Foley Arm Hotel
Find out more about Malvern & the Hills at
The Official Malvern Hills WebSite
&
Malvern Hills AONB WebSite
&
The Beautiful Malvern Hills Website
&
Malvern Spa Association Website
The beautiful Malvern Hills are the jewel in the crown of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This 9 days of walking was your opportunity to enjoy some of our breathtakingly beautiful views in the company of others. You will have had a friendly guide to both lead the way and to indicate points of interest you may normally have missed. You will have seen views that have not changed greatly since Edward Elgar walked his beloved Malvern Hills and was inspired to write his music all those years ago. Some of these walks were planned to appeal to families as well as serious walkers. Most walks did have some value to walkers who are also interested in natural history, local history and the geology of this beautiful area.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL 2009 WALKS LISTING