Kinhag one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Walked from Kinver to Hagley. A good direct route. None of the road walking felt unsafe to me - the roads were fairly quiet and what traffic there was gave me plenty of space.

Once we have left Kinver High Street, we are on a fairly quiet road with no pavement. We follow the road through a few little ups and downs then take the path left that bypasses Caunsall. Another short stretch of quiet road walking takes us to the A449, which we cross, then take the field path left over a stile. The path is obvious and fairly well used, taking us through pretty countryside to the wood above the "Fairy Glen". Beyond the wood we join an old lane, then branch right through a farm to Sugar Loaf Lane. Another lane takes us to the A451, where there is a path in the left hand verge that helps us reach the next path, another roughly surfaced lane which leads us into Hagley and the meeting point by the station.

This is probably the most direct route available, and as such is a good choice for SlowWays - the canal route looks be fine but is longer, and if distance is no object my preferred longer route would go via Kinver Edge using more of the North Worcestershire path.

I walked this route early in the morning and found the country lanes to be relatively quiet. The main roads were busy and with fast moving traffic. These, the A451 and the A449 are however just crossed, the A451 is a staggered crossing ' but with a verge to walk on. I agree with the previous reviewer that the canal option would be fine at the Kinver end. But found no problems with the path as shown on the map.

The first part of the route as described follows Cookley Lane, with traffic which can be fast and relatively busy for a country lane, until it follows the North Worcestershire way and heads eastwards, eventually crossing the River Stour near Caunsell. There is a much better alternative by taking the towpath of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal from Kinver to near Caunsell and then picking up the route as describe.
There are two busy roads to cross, the A449 and the A451, both of which carry fast traffic and can be very busy but can be crossed safely with care.
Parts of the route can be muddy after wet weather, although the majority is usually dry.

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