EVEN in a region with dozens of Iron Age hillforts, the fort on Herefordshire Beacon stands out as being truly remarkable.

Known as British Camp, it is well over 2,000 years old and covers an area of 13 hectares (32 acres).

It was never just a fort, more a fortified settlement where a large community (anything up to 2000 people) was permanently in residence.

The scale of the fortifications is quite awesome when you consider that its builders had only primitive hand tools.

In the centre, on the summit of the hill, is a smaller earthwork known as the Citadel, which is believed to be the site of a Norman castle built in the 11th or 12th Century.

Running south from British Camp along the spine of the hills is yet another earthwork, a bank-and-ditch construction known as Red Earl's Dyke.

This is believed to have been built c1287 for Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, known as the "Red Earl" for his red hair and fiery temper.

At this time the hills were part of a vast hunting territory known as Malvern Chase and the dyke was apparently intended to prevent deer straying from de Clare's estate to that of his neighbour, the Bishop of Hereford.

The dyke also marks the boundary between Worcestershire and Herefordshire, earning it the alternative name of Shire Ditch.

It was on the slopes of Herefordshire Beacon that William Langland was inspired, in the 1360s, to write Piers Plowman, a long allegorical poem considered one of the finest pieces of early English writing.

Langland himself is a shadowy figure but we do know that he was probably educated at Malvern Priory. Centuries later, the composer Sir Edward Elgar also found inspiration when walking on Herefordshire Beacon.

Just below the Beacon, the A449 cuts through the Malvern Hills, on the route of an ancient saltway used by packhorse trains transporting salt from Droitwich to South Wales.

The modern road continues westwards towards Ledbury but the saltway swung south to take a different route: this survives as a footpath known as the Ridgeway, which is used in this week's walk.

It isn't a public right of way, but the Hervey-Bathurst family, which owns the Eastnor estate, permits the public to use it.

In order to maintain the flower-rich grassland of the Malvern Hills, which was rapidly turning to scrub and woodland, sheep have been reintroduced, under the care of shepherd Richard Smith.

Unfortunately, 12 ewes were killed or fatally injured by dogs last year. Others have been badly stressed (which can cause miscarriage) after being chased.

In January, the Malvern Hills Conservators launched a "Sheep Safe" campaign to raise awareness of this problem.

Warning signs have been erected in areas where sheep may be encountered. Please look out for these and keep your dog on a lead wherever necessary. You might want to do the same in Eastnor Park, where red deer are present.

n From the car park or bus stop it's a short steep climb to the top of Herefordshire Beacon, through the massive earthworks of British Camp. From the top (338m) there are superb views on those rare clear days.

When you're ready to move on, there is a slight descent then another ascent to a second top. The path then slips through a break in the ramparts and descends steeply to a saddle. At a route indicator, take the path signed to Giant's Cave and Pink Cottage. Having passed the cave, continue along a path terraced into the slope, below the ridge.

Turn right when you reach a cross-tracks, descending to another junction. Turn right again, on a narrow path between trees which descends to a rutted track along the edge of Gullet Wood.

Turn left, ignoring any branching paths until a gate gives access to Eastnor Park. Climb to the obelisk then continue across the deer park, soon descending to a valley and passing between two pools to reach a driveway. Turn right. After passing Park Lodge, the path (Ridgeway) continues through woodland.

After about one-and-a-half miles you will reach a major fork. Turn left to reach the A449 and then turn right for 200m until you can join a path on the left. Descend past a garden, through Hatfield Coppice and across a field, at the far side of which another path branches right. Follow it through woodland to return to your starting point.

PLEASE NOTE This walk has been carefully checked and the directions are believed to be accurate at the time of publication. No responsibility is accepted by either author or publisher for any errors or omissions, or for any accident, loss or injury, however caused.

FACTFILE

Start: Where the A449 cuts through the Malvern Hills below Herefordshire Beacon; grid ref SO762403.

Length: 51/2 miles/8.8km.

Maps: OS Explorer 190, OS

Landranger 150, Harvey Superwalker Malvern Hills (part of route).

Terrain: Grassland and woodland; undulating throughout but only the first bit is steep.

Paths: Mostly excellent but may be rutted and muddy in Gullet Wood.

Stiles: Four or five (all in final half-mile. Can be avoided by using A449).

Parking: British Camp car park.

Public transport: bus or train to Great Malvern then Newbury Coaches 675 (Mon-Sat) or Malvern Hills Hopper (weekends/bank hols April-Oct); also 234 direct from Worcester (Sun/bank hols April-Oct); best sources of information are 01432 260211 or www.herefordshire-buses.tbctimes.com

Refreshments: Malvern Hills Hotel and snack kiosk.