Following on from other one day adventures that you can read about here I want to let you in on another superb one day adventure easily accessible from Bristol. This one requires a slightly longer drive or train journey but is absolutely worth it.

I have visited the Malvern Hills for many years as some of my family live very close to the foot of them. They are a perfect chain of mini mountains which lend themselves superbly to anything from a car park stroll to a full day traverse.

The full traverse requires a bit of logistical planning and although I’m sure achievable with public transport would probably be best with two cars. It’s something I’m certainly having a think about as an adventure later in the year. However in this post I will let you in on a delightful circular walk taking in two of the main features of the southern end of the hills. Perfect for friends or family, it’s gentle enough for a morning but just long enough that you feel you’ve had a leg stretch and justified whatever you plan to eat later in the day…. There are some great pubs nearby!

Starting from the quarry car park head north up a good track, where you can keep to the right skirting around the bottom of the obvious fort summit, when you meet the main path coming from the car park in the middle of hills (usually signified by the sudden appearance of buggies) head uphill on any path you care to chose to ascend the Herefordshire beacon (also known as roman camp – you’ll certainly see why when you ascend its slopes. If you were looking for a vantage point to fend off hoards of marauders and ancient troublemakers you couldn’t find much better!). From here head south taking any path that keeps you on the right hand side of ridge until a clearly marked footpath bears off to the right from Hangman’s Hill. From this path you can then ascend via any of the three paths available to you to the Obelisk. Both high points offer spectacular views out over Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

Retrace your steps down from the obelisk and return to the quarry car park by way of the gullet.

The area would also suit itself brilliantly to trail running as the paths are generally good and navigation is very easy as the hills run in an almost perfect north to south line. The area around the hills and some of the bridleways on the hills are also suitable for mountain biking. This website has some great cycling and walking routes listed.

http://www.malvernhillsaonb.org.uk/exploring-the-aonb/cycle-routes/