Explore the best Malvern Hills walks for every ability, from scenic circular trails to challenging ridge hikes, plus local attractions, wildlife routes, and places to stay in Great Malvern.
Whether on a crisp autumn morning or a scorching summer afternoon, no other activity or location awakens the senses quite like a walk in the Malvern Hills.
Standing 20 kilometres long and nine kilometres wide, this area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) is a British walker’s paradise. But with so many trails you can cover, what are the best routes for you?
In this piece, we break down the five best Malvern Hills walks, alongside other routes, experiences, and restful retreats to enjoy in town.
Now, let’s start exploring.
5 Fantastic Malvern Hill Walks
With over 15 kilometres of footpaths along the Herefordshire and Worcestershire borders, walking the Malvern Hills offers routes for all abilities, from seasoned hikers to absolute beginners.
In this top five Malvern Hill walks, we’re providing a balance between all-day epic hikes and brisk, two-hour tracks:
British Camp to Swinyard Hill
History lovers unite! This walk begins with a visit to the top of Herefordshire Beacon, where you will find British Camp, an Iron Age fort thought to date back to the 2nd century BC.
According to The Malvern Museum of Local History, the fort may have been used as a social meeting place for “fairs, markets and religious events” during the Bronze and Iron ages. Some years later, the site became home to a Norman hill castle constructed by Harold Godwinson, the last English Anglo-Saxon king.
After taking in the impressive earthworks, you’ll head south past sheep pastures and an orchard before reaching Swinyard Hill, a 272m high mountain summit with breathtaking panoramic views.
Going uphill, this walk requires a reasonable amount of leg power but is well worth the climb to witness the stunning scenery in every direction.
This Malvern Hills walk should take approximately two hours and is rated “moderate/strenuous”.
Check out the complete trail guide here.
Rose Bank Gardens to Worcestershire Beacon
Beginning at Rose Bank Gardens, next to the Mount Pleasant Hotel, a sculpture of two buzzards welcomes you to what’s been known as the “gateway to the Hills”. From these beautiful gardens, you’re given one of the best signature circular walks in the Malvern Hills.
Taking you up Goldmine past Earnshaw Quarry and Lake, you’ll rise above Happy Valley before dropping down to St Anne’s Well. Perhaps after a peaceful stop here, you’ll continue your ascent up North Hill, Table Hill, and End Hill towards Sugarloaf Hill before reaching Worcestershire Beacon. Here you can experience iconic views of the three counties from the highest point in Worcestershire (425-metre summit).
At over 8 miles long, this Malvern Hills hike is rated between “moderate” and “advanced”, taking around four hours with plenty of elevation. We’d recommend stopping off at the Mount Pleasant Hotel on your return, where you can enjoy a well-deserved drink or bite to eat inside the Mulberry Tree Restaurant & Bar.
However, if you’d prefer a milder walk around the beacon, there is a shorter three-mile circular route that will only take you around two hours.
Access the complete trail guide here.
Unicorn Inn to North Hill
A popular area for orienteering, company hikes and team-building activities, at the northerly end of the Malvern Hills, you will find the aptly named “North Hill”.
Thanks to its impressive elevation of 397m, this exciting Malvern Hills Walk offers sensational views in every direction! Once you’ve climbed to the top, you get to look out over the Worcestershire plain, the Black Mountains of Shropshire and the Lickey and Clent hills.
There are multiple easy-to-follow paths to the summit, but be mindful of the steeper slopes that may be more challenging for less experienced walkers.
Visit The Malverns has rated this Malvern Hills walk as “moderate” with an estimated journey time of two hours.
Access the complete trail guide here.
Colwall Station to Herefordshire Beacon (Hill and Valley)
Named after the poem ‘The Last Bower’, published in 1844 by Elizabeth Barrett, who lived in Colwall at Hope End, this trail starts from Colwall Station and continues mostly in the parish.
Navigating fields, woods and open hilltops, this Malvern Hills walk offers a mix of landscapes with stunning views worthy of some steep climbs. At around seven miles long, this Malvern Hills walk is rated “moderate”, but can be divided into shorter walks if more suitable.
Access the complete trail guide here.
Chase End to North Hill (End-to-End)
If walking the length of the Malvern Hills is your mission, we recommend this linear (not circular) route from Chase End to North Hill. This route goes along the top of the ridge and takes in all of the major summits along the way.
At over nine miles long, this route takes around five hours and is for the more advanced hikers. Obviously, as it’s not a circular route, you will need to arrange transport logistics. Some people take two cars so they can park at both ends of the walk.
Access the complete trail guide here.
Other Malvern Walks & Attractions
Malvern Town
If you fancy a gentler walk that still allows you to soak up some of Malvern’s rich history, why not enjoy a wander around the streets of Great Malvern?
Head over to the famous Great Malvern Priory to discover the incredible stained-glass windows and beautiful floor and wall tiles. The Priory offers free guided tours throughout the year so you can learn all about its history and its famous visitors.
After exiting the Priory, wander over to Priory Park where you’ll find a selection of mature trees, a large duck pond and an original Victorian bandstand. This tranquil spot is the perfect place for a scenic stroll at any time of year.
During your visit to the town, don’t forget to check out some of the fantastic restaurants, independent shops and cosy cafes. Malvern is an excellent place to hunt for unique gifts and tasty artisan treats, so you’ll be spoilt for choice!
Croome Park
Just a short drive out of Malvern, you will find Croome Court, an extraordinary 18th-century mansion surrounded by acres of stunning parkland.
As you follow the path around the gardens, you’ll discover the Ice House, bird hide, greenhouses and many quaint bridges along the way.
This route is dog-friendly and should take you approximately one to two hours to complete.
For full details of the trail, check out the National Trust’s route guide here.
Worcestershire Woods and Wildlife
Last but not least, we have the Worcestershire Woods and Wildlife walk.
This eight-mile circular walk takes you past enchanting ancient woodland, delightful meadows and an old stone cottage.
The trail starts at the Knapp and Papermill nature reserve, which is home to a diverse range of local wildlife, from birds and dormice to otters and bats!
From there, you will follow the loop round, passing several local sites of interest such as Pivany Bridge, the old quarry and Alfrick church.
This walk should take you up to three hours to complete at a medium pace. During wet weather, some of the paths can become muddy and slippery, so wear suitable footwear.
If you’d like to take a look at the trail in more detail, the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust offer a map with written directions that you can download here.
Planning a trip to the Malvern Hills?
If you’re planning a walking holiday in the Malvern Hills, why not stay with us at The Mount Pleasant Hotel?
Situated in the heart of Great Malvern, our charming Georgian hotel provides the ideal resting place for your Malvern Hills adventure, with everything you need to recoup after a long day of exploring.
From spacious rooms to on-site parking and an award-winning restaurant, we are the perfect base for your Malvern Hills Hike.
Please find all of our available suites here. We can’t wait for you to join us.