16 routes
The Malvern Hills are very popular with dog walkers, and most of the hills are open for walking. Our dog-friendly routes suit dogs used to hill walking. Cattle and sheep graze the hills for conservation, so every route here comes with notes on where to keep your dog under close control.
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.
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.
A gentle loop around the lower slopes of British Camp and the old reservoir, from the car park at Wynds Point. Add the summit if you have the energy.
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.
Over the British Camp hillfort and south along the ridge to the little Giant’s Cave, returning below the hills. A great family outing.
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.
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.
Take the train to Colwall, climb onto the ridge below the Beacon, cross to North Hill and descend to Great Malvern or Malvern Link for the train home.
The two highest summits in one loop: North Hill, Sugarloaf Hill and the Worcestershire Beacon from North Quarry car park, returning on lower paths.
The quiet southern end of the Malverns: a steep pull up Ragged Stone Hill, then on to the trig point on Chase End Hill, the last summit in the range.
A short climb from Hollybush to the ramparts of the Midsummer Hill fort, where more than 400 hut platforms have been found.
A short surfaced trail from Black Hill car park towards the ridgeline, laid by the Malvern Hills Trust for pushchairs and people with limited mobility.
A gently graded path above Jubilee Drive with big views west over Herefordshire, from the Wyche Cutting to Gardiner’s Quarry car park.
A short, steep stroll from the town centre up to St Ann’s Well, the 1813 spring house with a café, on the way to the Worcestershire Beacon.
The central ridge: from Jubilee Drive past Pinnacle and Jubilee hills, across the Wyche and up over Summer Hill to the Beacon, then back.
Start at the Priory, climb steeply through the woods to the ridge and follow it south over the central hills to the British Camp hillfort.
Distance, time, climb and parking side by side.
| Walk | Distance | Time | Difficulty | Route | Ascent | Dogs | Pub | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcestershire Beacon from Great Malvern station | 6.4 km · 4.0 mi | 2 hr 30 min | Moderate | Circular | — | Yes | — | Train station |
| Easiest route up the Worcestershire Beacon | 2.6 km · 1.6 mi | 55 min | Easy | Out and back | 132 m | Yes | — | Upper Beacon Road car park |
| British Camp and reservoir circular | 4.8 km · 3.0 mi | 2 hrs | Easy | Circular | — | Yes | Yes | British Camp car park |
| British Camp hillfort summit | 1.3 km · 0.8 mi | 30 min | Moderate | Out and back | 102 m | Yes | Yes | British Camp car park |
| British Camp and Giant’s Cave circular | 3.2 km · 2.0 mi | 1 hr 5 min | Moderate | Circular | 142 m | Yes | Yes | British Camp car park |
| Malvern Hills end to end | 16 km · 10.1 mi | 5 hr 35 min | Hard | Linear (one way) | 882 m | Yes | — | Hollybush car park |
| Grand Traverse: Ledbury to Great Malvern | 23 km · 14.0 mi | 8 hrs | Hard | Linear (one way) | 1158 m | Yes | — | Train station |
| Colwall to Great Malvern over the hills | 5.5 km · 3.4 mi | 2 hr 30 min | Moderate | Linear (one way) | — | Yes | — | Train station |
| North Hill and the Worcestershire Beacon | 4.8 km · 3.0 mi | 1 hr 50 min | Moderate | Circular | 385 m | Yes | — | North Quarry car park |
| Ragged Stone Hill and Chase End Hill | 5.6 km · 3.5 mi | 2 hr 30 min | Moderate | Circular | 238 m | Yes | — | Hollybush car park |
| Midsummer Hill hillfort from Hollybush | 2.8 km · 1.7 mi | 55 min | Moderate | Out and back | 133 m | Yes | — | Hollybush car park |
| Black Hill easier-access trail | 1.4 km · 0.9 mi | 40 min | Easy | Out and back | — | Yes | Yes | Black Hill car park |
| Jubilee Drive path from the Wyche | 3.0 km · 1.9 mi | 1 hr | Easy | Out and back | — | Yes | — | Gardiner's Quarry car park |
| St Ann’s Well from Great Malvern | 1.3 km · 0.8 mi | 30 min | Easy | Out and back | 89 m | Yes | — | Train station |
| Worcestershire Beacon along the ridge from Jubilee Drive | 7.3 km · 4.5 mi | 2 hr 25 min | Moderate | Out and back | 348 m | Yes | — | 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) | — | Yes | Yes | Train station |
Times are for a steady pace without long stops. Ascent is the approximate total climb.