425 m
Hill · Worcester Beacon
Worcestershire Beacon
The highest point of the Malvern Hills and of Worcestershire, with a toposcope and trig pillar on its rocky summit.
Malvern Hills viewpoints
The hills rise straight out of the Severn Vale, so the views are huge for their height. Here is where to stand, and when.
Sunrise today
—
The ridge faces east over the Severn Vale for sunrise.
Sunset today
—
Look west over Herefordshire towards the Welsh hills.
Times calculated for the Worcestershire Beacon.
Summits with the widest views
Our pick of the tops for a big panorama.
338 m
Hill · Herefordshire Beacon
British Camp
Herefordshire Beacon, crowned by British Camp: one of the best-preserved Iron Age hillforts in Britain, with huge views from its ramparts.
397 m
Hill
North Hill
The second-highest of the Malverns, rising straight above Great Malvern and the highest point on the Worcestershire Way.
357 m
Hill
Pinnacle Hill
A central summit above Jubilee Drive with possible Bronze Age burial mounds, and a surfaced easier-access trail on its western slopes.
284 m
Hill
Midsummer Hill
A quieter southern summit whose Iron Age ramparts enclose both Midsummer Hill and neighbouring Hollybush Hill.
Viewpoints
425 m
Viewpoint
Worcestershire Beacon toposcope
The 1897 view indicator on the highest point of the Malverns, naming the landmarks you can see across the surrounding counties on a clear day.
Viewpoint
Jubilee Drive
The road along the western side of the hills, with a gently graded path above it and wide views west across Herefordshire.
Walks with the best views
Routes that take in the summits and ridge sections with the widest outlook.
Moderate Popular
Worcestershire Beacon from Great Malvern station
- Distance: 6.4 km · 4.0 mi
- Time: 2 hr 30 min
- Route type: Circular
The classic climb from the town: past the Priory and St Ann’s Well to the toposcope on the highest point of the Malverns, and back down.
Easy Popular
Easiest route up the Worcestershire Beacon
- Distance: 2.6 km · 1.6 mi
- Time: 55 min
- Route type: Out and back
The gentlest way to the top of the Malverns: start high at the Beacon Road car park and follow the surfaced path to the summit toposcope.
Moderate Popular
British Camp hillfort summit
- Distance: 1.3 km · 0.8 mi
- Time: 30 min
- Route type: Out and back
Short and steep: straight up from the car park to the ramparts of one of Britain’s finest Iron Age hillforts, with huge views both ways.
Moderate
British Camp and Giant’s Cave circular
- Distance: 3.2 km · 2.0 mi
- Time: 1 hr 5 min
- Route type: Circular
Over the British Camp hillfort and south along the ridge to the little Giant’s Cave, returning below the hills. A great family outing.
Hard Popular
Malvern Hills end to end
- Distance: 16 km · 10.1 mi
- Time: 5 hr 35 min
- Route type: Linear
The big one: every summit from Chase End Hill in the south to North Hill above Great Malvern, along the full length of the ridge.
Hard
Grand Traverse: Ledbury to Great Malvern
- Distance: 23 km · 14.0 mi
- Time: 8 hrs
- Route type: Linear
A car-free full day: from Ledbury station via Eastnor to the southern hills, then north along the ridge over British Camp and the Beacon to Great Malvern station.
| Walk | Distance | Time | Difficulty | Route | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcestershire Beacon from Great Malvern station | 6.4 km · 4.0 mi | 2 hr 30 min | Moderate | Circular | Train station |
| Easiest route up the Worcestershire Beacon | 2.6 km · 1.6 mi | 55 min | Easy | Out and back | Upper Beacon Road car park |
| British Camp hillfort summit | 1.3 km · 0.8 mi | 30 min | Moderate | Out and back | British Camp car park |
| British Camp and Giant’s Cave circular | 3.2 km · 2.0 mi | 1 hr 5 min | Moderate | Circular | British Camp car park |
| Malvern Hills end to end | 16 km · 10.1 mi | 5 hr 35 min | Hard | Linear (one way) | Hollybush car park |
| Grand Traverse: Ledbury to Great Malvern | 23 km · 14.0 mi | 8 hrs | Hard | Linear (one way) | Train station |
| Colwall to Great Malvern over the hills | 5.5 km · 3.4 mi | 2 hr 30 min | Moderate | Linear (one way) | Train station |
| North Hill and the Worcestershire Beacon | 4.8 km · 3.0 mi | 1 hr 50 min | Moderate | Circular | North Quarry car park |
| Ragged Stone Hill and Chase End Hill | 5.6 km · 3.5 mi | 2 hr 30 min | Moderate | Circular | Hollybush car park |
| Midsummer Hill hillfort from Hollybush | 2.8 km · 1.7 mi | 55 min | Moderate | Out and back | Hollybush car park |
| Black Hill easier-access trail | 1.4 km · 0.9 mi | 40 min | Easy | Out and back | Black Hill car park |
| Jubilee Drive path from the Wyche | 3.0 km · 1.9 mi | 1 hr | Easy | Out and back | Gardiner's Quarry car park |
| Worcestershire Beacon along the ridge from Jubilee Drive | 7.3 km · 4.5 mi | 2 hr 25 min | Moderate | Out and back | Gardiner's Quarry car park |
| Great Malvern to British Camp along the ridge | 9.1 km · 5.7 mi | 5 hrs | Moderate | Linear (one way) | Train station |
Times are for a steady pace without long stops. Ascent is the approximate total climb.
Tips for the best views
- Go after rain. A clear day after a front has passed usually gives the sharpest views and the least haze.
- Start high. The Beacon Road car parks and Jubilee Drive give big views for little effort.
- Plan the walk down. If you stay for sunset, carry a head torch for the descent.
- Mind the wind. Summits are exposed. It is often much colder at the top than in town.