IT'S always nice to hear from readers who enjoy doing these walks and it's interesting that so many of the letters and phone calls I receive concern the Worcestershire Way.

There's obviously considerable enthusiasm for this route so, this year, I intend to describe it in full.

Fortunately, it has been cleverly planned so that it easily divides into convenient sections.

Walking from north to south, we'll tackle it in four stages, so here's the first, from Kingsford to Bewdley.

Next month we'll do the second stage, from Bewdley to Abberley.

The Worcestershire Way begins in Kingsford Country Park but the only public transport to this point is Whittle's 580 from Kidderminster to Enville on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons.

This will drop you at Lower Kingsford. If you can use this, it's ideal.

If not, the closest place to Kingsford with frequent bus services is Cookley. But Kinver is only very slightly further and makes a much more inspiring prelude to the Way, so Kinver is my recommended starting point.

That will add less than two miles (3km) to the total length of the Way, which is 47 miles (75km), from Kingsford in the north to Hollybush in the south.

It's a hilly walk throughout, but only mildly so.

Somehow, it manages to wend its way through some of the finest scenery in the county without ever becoming particularly demanding.

In this stage, for instance, the highest point is a modest 200m, near Shatterford, yet the views are impressive.

For more information about the Way, there is an excellent guidebook, published in 1996 by the former Hereford and Worcester County Council.

You'll find it in bookshops and tourist information centres and it's packed with detail, as well as beautifully drawn maps and charming line drawings.

Because the Worcestershire Way is so well waymarked, the book does not go into detail about the route, but provides lots of fascinating background information.

It also includes four circular walks which loop off the main route.

B directions

Whittle's 580 leaves Kidderminster for Kingsford and Kinver at 1320 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving Kinver at 1337. Alternatively, Hansen's 227/ 228 serve Kinver half-hourly, Monday-Saturday, from Stourbridge, and hourly on Sundays. Stourbridge is quickly and cheaply reached by train from Worcester.

Get off the bus, whether from Kidderminster or Stourbridge, by the health centre in Kinver High Street and you'll see a footpath sign directing you up Vicarage Drive, past the library.

When you come to a junction, fork right on footpath 32 and, shortly, go left by The Old Vicarage.

Descend to a lane, turn right, and then left at the next junction, on Comber Road. After a short distance turn right on Astles Rock Walk (footpath 56). When the path appears to end don't be put off - it actually goes straight on, past a house named Brackendale.

A few metres further on, a gate gives access to Kinver Edge. Proceed to a junction and turn right on a broad sandy path. Climb to another junction where a sign indicates paths to Holy Austin Rock and a viewpoint. It's worth a detour to the rock before climbing up to the viewpoint on top of Kinver Edge.

Head south, keeping to the top of the ridge. Before very long you'll cross the county border into Kingsford Country Park, where a signpost indicates the Worcestershire Way.

It's really just a question of following the waymarkers now - though you need your wits about you in Kingsford where they can seem a bit sparse. Just remember to keep straight on at all junctions unless a waymarker indicates otherwise, and pass to the left of a fenced area (Severn Trent Water). Soon after the route becomes clearer.

A short, steep climb eventually takes you out of the country park and the Way then leads past Solcum Farm and through Drakelow to a caravan park. Walk straight through here then turn left on a lane - but only for a few paces, as far as an easily missed stile.

The Way now climbs steadily up through pasture to reach the A442 near Shatterford. Cross with care and walk along the lane opposite. When you meet another road keep straight on past Rosemary Cottage, looking for a Way sign on the left.

The path descends through Cox's Coppice and Gunhill Wood before crossing a brook to enter Eymore Wood. It's mostly downhill, and, as you approach the river, the Way merges with the Severn Way before heading into Upper Arley.

The Worcestershire Way crosses the Severn and then heads south beside the river into Bewdley. A bus or steam train can take you to Kidderminster for your bus or train back to Worcester. On

Sundays and public holidays the 300 runs direct from Bewdley to Worcester.

FACTFILE

Start: Kinver, GR845834.

Finish: Bewdley, GR787754.

Length: 11 miles/17.6km.

Maps: OS Explorer 218, OS Landranger 138.

Terrain: woodland, plantation, sheep pasture, paddocks, riverside meadows; a couple of steep slopes but nothing too serious.

Stiles: 20.

Public transport: see main text. Full details from Traveline 0870 6082608.

Refreshments: Kinver, Arley and Bewdley.

DISCLAIMER

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