Kinver

Much of it is afforested with conifers but there are also areas of native broadleaf woodland and on the eastern side the National Trust looks after a beautiful patch of heathland. There is also a small patch of heath in Worcestershire County Council’s Kingsford Forest Park. Trees are encroaching on these patches so cattle have been introduced to help preserve the open heath, which is nowadays a very rare habitat. It supports almost equally rare species, such as the adder, and the gorgeously iridescent green tiger beetle. The Edge is perhaps best known for its caves and rock-houses, some of which you’ll see on this walk. Nanny’s Rock is spectacular and while little is known of its history it is suggested that the eponymous Nanny was a white witch. Sadly, the houses at nearby Vales Rock have been fenced off and are being eaten by encroaching woodland. The other rock-houses are superb, and though just off the route they’re easily visited – go to Holy Austin Rock, just below the hillfort guarding the northern end of Kinver Edge. This is a very easy walk thanks to well-maintained paths such as the North Worcestershire Path, the Cookley Link Path and the towpath of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. The towpath is maintained by the Canal and River Trust, which operates as a charity. It’s dependent on volunteers, and I’ve been asked to point out that more are always needed. Prospective volunteer canal rangers can find out more by consulting canalrivertrust.org.uk/ volunteering or calling 03030 404040.

FACTFILE

Start Kingsford Forest Park, Kingsford Lane; grid ref SO823820.

Length 7½ miles/12km.

Maps OS Explorer 218 or 219, OS Landranger 138.

Terrain Woodland, plantation, heathland, arable, pasture, towpath; a few slopes but nothing too demanding.

Footpaths Excellent.

Stiles None.

Parking Kingsford Lane car park.

Public transport Go by train or bus to Kidderminster, then choose between buses to Kingsford or Cookley – Whittle's 580 to Kinver goes along Kingsford Lane (alight at the car park) but there is only one return journey, departing Kidderminster 0845 and Kingsford 1333 (Mon-Sat); much more useful is Holland's 9/9a hourly service (Mon-Sat) to Cookley – alight at the Bull's Head for access to the towpath; worcestershire.gov.uk/bustimetables or 01905 765765. Refreshments Good choice at Cookley; Kinver Edge Farm Shop/Country Café (closed Wed) at Blakeshall – look for the sign by the NWP as you approach Blakeshall Lane; National Trust tearoom at Holy Austin Rock (Thurs-Sun); abundant choice at Kinver.

DIRECTIONS

1 Cross Kingsford Lane into Kingsford Forest Park and take a bridleway which initially heads towards Vales Rock, visible ahead. It then swings left past the base of the rock and climbs gently uphill. Turn right just before a National Trust sign, walk to an outsize fingerpost and turn right, signed 'North Worcestershire Path, Woodpecker Trail and Nuthatch Trail'. Follow the North Worcestershire Path (NWP) to the point where it turns right; turn left instead, signed 'horse route'. Turn right at the next junction, which leads to the edge of the forest park. Turn left and walk to another junction.

2 Turn right, and follow the waymarked Cookley Link Path to the edge of Cookley. You'll eventually descend a wooded bank to a track where you turn right. Turn left at the next junction, where waymarking is absent, on a track which crosses the river Stour before meeting the canal. Turn left on the towpath, passing through Cookley and soon leaving it behind. If you want to visit the village there is access to it either side of Cookley Tunnel. If you arrive by bus you'll start the walk here, near the Bull's Head.

3 Join a road at Caunsall Bridge and turn left. Cross the river Stour then take the NWP on the right, next to the entrance to a farmhouse. Turn left at the next junction, leaving the NWP and walking across a potato field, through meadows and past houses to a lane at Caunsall. Turn right, then go straight on at a junction, rejoining the NWP. Follow it to Blakeshall Lane and turn right.

4 Re-enter Kingsford Forest Park, keep straight on at the first junction, then sharp left at the next, leaving the NWP. Turn right at another junction and straight on at a crosspath marked by an outsize fingerpost, rejoining the NWP. Follow it to a National Trust sign then go straight on, leaving the NWP. After a few paces fork left on a gently rising path. Climb very gradually through woodland, ignoring paths going directly to the ridge-top, and you'll eventually come to a gate giving access to heathland. Fork left here to walk across the heath. Go straight on at all junctions until you've passed through another gate. Turn left uphill and then fork right after a few paces to climb to the ramparts of the hillfort. Turn right at the top to walk along three sides of the fort, visiting a viewpoint then heading south on the ridge-top path.

5 Take a path down on the right where a sign warns 'Danger, cliff edge'. The path is steep and rocky in places. If you find it daunting there are easier paths further along. If you do take the steep path you'll descend to a rocky outcrop before bearing left. Go to the left again when the path forks. When you meet a level path the onward route is to the left, but turn right first to see Nanny's Rock. Resuming the walk, shortly fork right downhill and proceed to Kingsford Lane. Turn left, then when you see a fingerpost pointing uphill, take an unsigned path running parallel with the lane to meet the bridleway you used at the start of the walk. Turn right to Kingsford Lane.

Worcester News recommends the use of OS Explorer Maps, your ideal passport to navigating the countryside. This walk is based on OS Explorer 218