The details of this walk were checked against the route source on 14 Sept 2026. Distance and time as published by UKHillwalking.com route card (distance, ascent and time). Things change, so check before you travel.
Route overview
The southern tip of the Malverns is much quieter than the hills above the town, and this loop shows it off. UKHillwalking publishes it at 5.6 km (3.5 miles) with 238 metres of climbing, allowing between 1.5 and 3 hours. It describes the walk as good for families.
From the Hollybush area on the A438, the first job is the short, steep climb up Ragged Stone Hill, a twin-topped hill wrapped in local legend. The route then continues south through woods and open access land to Chase End Hill, the last summit of the range, with its trig point, before looping back.
We have graded it moderate rather than easy because the climb up Ragged Stone Hill is steep, but it is short.
Route map
Route diagram only, not for navigation.
Route points as a list
- Start: Hollybush, on the A438
- Ragged Stone Hill
- Chase End Hill
- Return to the start
After your walk
Where to eat, where to stay and how to get back, worked out from where this walk starts and ends.
Where to eat after this walk
-
A takeaway stop at the Eastnor Deer Park entrance, passed by the long walk between Ledbury and Colwall.
Website for The Woodshed Café (Eastnor Deer Park) (opens in a new tab) Directions to The Woodshed Café (Eastnor Deer Park) (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
-
In Castlemorton, about 3.5 km south-east of British Camp, below the southern end of the ridge. It posts news on Facebook rather than a website.
Website for The Robin Hood (opens in a new tab) Call The Robin Hood Directions to The Robin Hood (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
-
On the edge of Castlemorton Common, about 3 km south-east of British Camp: a stop for walks at the southern end of the hills.
- Garden
Website for Plume of Feathers (opens in a new tab) Call Plume of Feathers Directions to Plume of Feathers (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Our picks are chosen for their position near the route; partners are paid placements. Check opening times before you go. More food and drink
Staying overnight?
The most practical base for this walk is British Camp: right at the hills, below the Iron Age hillfort, with the southern ridge on the doorstep.
- Walking from the door
- Southern hills
- Dog walks
Our picks nearby
-
Three self-catering properties on the Eastnor Castle estate below the southern hills: a lodge in the deer park, an apartment in the castle stables and a large group house. Sleeps: Golden Gates Lodge 4; The Stables Apartment 6; Hillend House 18.
- Dogs in rooms
- Parking
- Self-catering
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for Eastnor Castle Holiday Cottages (opens in a new tab) Directions to Eastnor Castle Holiday Cottages (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
-
Two-bedroom holiday lodge at Malvern Holiday Park, let mainly by the week, near Castlemorton Common. Season: Priced for November to March and April to October, i.e. available year-round. Sleeps: 3 (one double and one single bedroom).
- Dogs in rooms
- Lodge
- Self-catering
Website for Broad Down Luxury Holiday Lodge (Malvern Holiday Park) (opens in a new tab) Directions to Broad Down Luxury Holiday Lodge (Malvern Holiday Park) (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
-
Small park at the southern end of the hills offering several types of shepherd's hut, vintage caravans, a converted ploughing van and a holiday lodge, plus seasonal caravan pitches.
- Dogs welcome
- Glamping
Website for Malvern Holiday Park (opens in a new tab) Directions to Malvern Holiday Park (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Also close: Malvern Wells or Colwall. Compare all areas.
Getting back
This walk brings you back to where you started. If you came by train or bus, here is how to get home from the finish.
- Ledbury station · 5.2 km from the start (take a taxi or bus). Station details · Train times
- No regular bus stops close to this walk. Bus routes around the hills.
- Access Taxis (taxi, Great Malvern) · 07749 621594 · website
- Pittstop Travel (taxi, Malvern) · 07894 630458 · website
- Smith Taxis (taxi, Malvern) · 01684 568686 · website
We don’t copy timetables because they change. Check times on the day, especially on Sundays. The hills without a car
Making a weekend of it?
- Tomorrow: Malvern Hills end to end · 16 km, 5 hr 35 min
- Weekend itineraries for the hills
- Build a trip plan around this walk
Step-by-step directions
The route overview and map above show the way. We add turn-by-turn directions once we have walked a route ourselves, so they’re right on the ground. The original published route has its own directions.
Terrain and elevation
- Total ascent
- 238 m (781 ft)
- Highest point
- 254 m (833 ft)
- Route type
- Circular
- Woodland paths
- Grass paths
- Steep sections
Parking and getting there
Car park on Hollybush, on the A438, close to Ragged Stone Hill and Midsummer Hill.
Charges: check operator’s website
Safety and walking conditions
- The ridge is exposed. Wind and cold are often much stronger on the tops than in the town. Low cloud can reduce visibility quickly.
- Steep ground and old quarries. Some slopes are steep and loose, and quarry edges can be sheer. Stay on the paths and keep children close.
- Livestock. Cattle and sheep graze parts of the hills. Keep dogs under close control and on a lead near animals.
- Daylight. Allow time to finish in daylight, especially in autumn and winter. Check sunset and conditions for today.
- In an emergency call 999 and ask for the Police, then Mountain Rescue. Give your location as precisely as you can.
This information is general guidance, not a guarantee of safety. Conditions change, and you are responsible for deciding whether a route is right for you on the day.
Hills and viewpoints on this walk
Hill · Raggedstone Hill
Ragged Stone Hill
A steep, twin-topped hill above the Hollybush pass, close to the point where Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire meet.
Hill
Chase End Hill
The southernmost hill of the range, with a trig point on top: the start or finish of the Malvern Hills end-to-end walk.
What to take on this walk
- Shoes or boots with good grip Grass slopes get slippery after rain and some paths are loose and rocky.
- A waterproof jacket Showers arrive quickly from the west, and there is little shelter on the tops.
- Water and a snack There is nowhere to buy food or drink on the ridge itself.
- A map, and a phone with the route saved offline Paths criss-cross the hills and cloud can come down quickly. Phone signal is patchy on the western slopes.
Nearby walks
Midsummer Hill hillfort from Hollybush
- Distance: 2.8 km · 1.7 mi
- Time: 55 min
- Route type: Out and back
A short climb from Hollybush to the ramparts of the Midsummer Hill fort, where more than 400 hut platforms have been found.
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.
British Camp and reservoir circular
- Distance: 4.8 km · 3.0 mi
- Time: 2 hrs
- Route type: Circular
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.
More walks like this
Last checked 14 Sept 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.