Ride Information
START/FINISH: Great Malvern station, Station Approach WR14 3AL, 52.108928, -2.318050
DISTANCE: 28.1 miles/45.2km
ASCENT: 5328ft/1624m
OFF-ROAD: 85%
TERRAIN: Narrow dirt track on the slopes; wider, smooth-flowing stony trails higher up. Most of the route is along the hills’ steep slopes or the undulating ridgeline. The bridleway network to the north-west is flatter but muddier.
NAVIGATION: Straightforward. It’s hard to go wrong on the Malverns themselves. There’s such an array of trails along the spine of the hills it’s better to make it up as you go along – you can’t really get lost. Once you get to West Malvern, however, after Croft Bank you need to turn right into a farmyard before you’ll see the bridleway sign, then keep right to take the path through a gate and into the woods. Make sure you turn left at the next junction of bridleways otherwise you’ll find yourself on the return leg too soon. OS Landranger 149 and 150 are worth taking with you.
Eat & Drink
The Red Lion, 4 St Ann’s Road, Great Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 4RG, 01684 564787, www.redliongreatmalvern.co.uk
St Ann’s Well Café, St Ann’s Road, Great Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 4RF, 01684 560285, www.stannswell.co.uk
Sleep
Sydney House, 40 Worcester Road, Great Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 4AA, 01684 574994, www.sydneyhouse.co.uk
Out to Grass, Woodend Farm, Bromyard Road, Malvern, Herefordshire WR13 5JW, 01886 880099, www.outtograss.com
Bivvy: nr viewpoint at Worcestershire Beacon
Provisions
Crumpton Hill Farm Shop, Crumpton Hill Road, Malvern, Worcestershire WR13 5HP, 01886 880802
Back On Track Bikes, Unit 2, No 6 North Malvern Road, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 4LT, 01684 565777, www.backontrack-bikes.com