Geology and Landscape Walking Trails in the Geopark

There are a variety of trail guides available exploring geology and landscape, and the building stones seen within the Geopark. The trail guides presents these geological stories to visitors who enjoy the countryside and would like to know a little more.

The Geopark WayA route devised to highlight geology, landscape and associated heritage. It makes a sinuous north-south traverse from the Severn in Shropshire through Wyre Forest coalfield to the windblown sands of Hartlebury Common near Stourport, crossing to the Abberley Hills and then along the crests of the ancient Malvern Hills. In Gloucestershire it traverses the Leadon valley and visits May Hill and Huntley Quarry Geological Reserve before crossing the Vale of Gloucester and Severn as the Cotswold Hills come into full view. It offers varied walking alongside rivers, through forests, along ridge-tops and across valley floors. Passing through an assortment of habitats, there is a plethora of wildlife adding to the occasion with stately views to match. Quaint villages and towns dot the route bringing further elements of exploration and enchantment.circular trails x3 image

Geopark Way Circular Trails – The three trails (Alfrick and the Suckley Hills, Martley, Mathon) incorporate a section of the Geopark Way long distance walking trail. Each trail leaflet gives clear trail directions together with a geological interpretation of the landscape and outcrops found along the route.

‘Gloucesmay_hill_smtershire Uncovered’, ‘Explore Herefordshire and Worcestershire’, ‘Rocks make the landscape – Shropshire’ – Three series of trail guides published by the respective county Geoconservation groups . The guides take readers on a short, self-guided walks explaining the geology along the way. There are trails located in towns that explore the diverse uses of local rocks as building stones, whilst other trails are located out in the countryside that explore how and where the local rocks were formed and how they influence the nature of the landscape seen along the trail.walks for health

Walks For Health – Four self-guiding trails in Bridgnorth, Alveley, Stourport and Ledbury, along sections of the ‘ Geopark Way’. The four trails promote geology and landscape as an enjoyable and educational part of walking whilst encouraging participants to improve their lifestyle through regular exercise. Each guide contains a map of the route with detailed instructions as well as descriptions of the geological and landscape features that can be seen along the way. Additional information on public transport, tourist information, Ordnance Survey maps, other trails and the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark can also be found in each guide.

Community Earth Heritage Champions Trail Booklets – These trails were created during an innovative project led by H&W EHT that  involved local communities and organisations in improving the understanding, conservation and utilisation of a number of geological sites across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Members of the local community around each site got involved in the project; focusing on conserving the site, understanding the geology of the site, exploring the history and wildlife of the site and utilising the site for recreation amongst other potential uses.

Martley Geo-village Trails – Martley is a parish of great geological diversity. Three geology and landscape trails explore parts of the geological history of the parish.

Geologists in the Geopark Trails – A series of trails at sites and venues in the Geopark.

The Trail locations are marked on the Geopark map below. To download a copy of the map click here.

The Geopark Way long distance walking trail is shown on the map using a red line.

The map has been split into three sections – northern, central and southern which corrolates with the map key. Click on the map sections for further information.

Map Ref. Trails in the northern section
1n Bridgnorth – Rocks beneath your feet
2n Severn Valley: Bridgnorth to Highley
3n Alveley and Severn Valley Country Park – from coal pits to parkland
4n A Country Park Geology Trail – Severn Valley Country Park
5n Highley Trail
6n An Arboretum Geology Trail- Bodenham Arboretum
7n Simon Evans Way
8n Severn Valley Railway
9n A Train Ride Geology Trail – Severn Valley Railway
10n Bewdley Town Centre
11n Bewdley Champions Trail
12n A Museum Geology Trail – Bewdley Museum
13n Geology along the Woodpecker Trail – Wyre Forest
114 Stourport – from gravel pits to a nature reserve
15n A Geology Trail at the County Museum
Map Ref  Trails in the central section
1c Abberley Village Churches
2c Abberley Hill
3c Martley Trail 1
4c Martley Village Trail 2 … traversing the divide
5c Martley Parish Trail 3 … the highs and lows
6c Southstone Rock
7c Worcester City Centre
8c Worcester Cathedral
9c The Frome Valley
10c Alfrick and the Suckley Hills
11c Tank Quarry
12c Great Malvern
13c Malverns Champions Trail
14c Wyche and Purlieu
15c Malvern Hills (1)
16c Malvern Hills (2)
17c Mathon & Malvern Hills
Map Ref Trails in the southern section
1s Ledbury – Over coral seas and sandy deserts
2s Chase End Hill
3s May Hill
4s Huntley, Longhope & Hobb’s Ridge
5s Huntley Quarry Reserve Guide
6s Hobbs Quarry
7s Gloucester in Stone
8s Robinswood Hill
9s Wainlode Cliff & Sandhurst Hill

Geology and Landscape trails in the northern section of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark

 

Geology and Landscape trails in the central section of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark

Geology and Landscape trails in the southern section of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark

 

Les Morris Trail

Les Morris was a geographer and geologist who spent his working life as an educator. A wonderful man and founding member of the
Geopark, Les had time for anyone interested in the formation and evolution of our planet and the landscapes upon it.
Les had a vision to bring this story to everyone by unlocking the vast store of our natural heritage tucked away in stone built walls.

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