We walked from Hagley to Kinver morning of the 28th December with our dog, who sank up to her belly in mud near the end of brake lane but otherwise had a great time!...

Kate

A good Slow Ways Route easy to follow starting from Hagley Railway Station you join field paths with views of the Clent hills to take you over the railway into Pedmore where you join a greenway and chance for refreshments and food....

Nigel Cull

Another pleasant Slow Ways easy to follow along pavements and country paths. The best part is through Hurcott Wood just after leaving Kidderminster with Blue bells at this time of year and bird song. The section along the A456 was safe with good pavements....

Nigel Cull

The first part from Catshill to Belbroughton was mostly off road, whilst from Belbroughton to Hagley was mostly on quiet country or suburban roads. The off road section was mostly firm going, with just a couple of brief muddy sections around the Pepper woods....

Samuel Jack

Just before a house we take a path right through fences, then join the deeply rutted North Worcestershire path - bone dry sand when I walked it but the ruts suggest mud when wet. We go straight on on a good path which crosses a golf course where the path lines are clearly marked....

Hugh Hudson

Once we have left Kinver High Street, we are on a fairly quiet road with no pavement. Another short stretch of quiet road walking takes us to the A449, which we cross, then take the field path left over a stile....

Hugh Hudson

The climb can seem quite intense at times, but the views from Four Stones makes it all worth it....

David Sanderson

A straightforward, easy to navigate route with a steepish climb (we started from Romsley) onto the Clent Hills where there are magnificent views. Some muddy stretches today but nevertheless pretty easy underfoot. A really pleasant walk....

Dave4

From the Romsley meeting point, we head west along St Kenelms Road, then take the path right that crosses a playing field and continues between fences (this section can be very wet and muddy) then crosses St Kenelms Road again to Ivy Lane, which we follow (no pavements or verges, but the road is quiet and fairly wide). We emerge by a pub, follow the road straight on for a while then take a well used path right between fences that leads easily along fields to the edge of Hagley....

Hugh Hudson

There are quite good bus and rail transport links, two pubs and a shop in Blakedown which is about half-way and at both ends of the walk, in Hagley and in Kidderminster, there are many shops, cafes, pubs and a greater selection of rail and bus links....

Dave4

The plotting suggest a non-existent footpath, this caused us to turn right from the route and look for it, rather than turning left and following the right of way....

David Sanderson

Reaching the other end you enter Hurcott Lane which is a narrow lane with no pavement. The village itself is still along the busy A456 but does offer numerous stopping options as well as links to bus routes and the railway station which has trains to Worcester, Birmingham, Solihull and Stratford upon Avon. The section of pavement beyond the end of the village is probably the least enjoyable section of the walk, but the benefits of the village compensate for that. The section through to the meeting point by the railway station is mainly residential and does not offer much in the way of interest, but there are plenty of stops and shops on the other side of the park from the end of the walk....

David Sanderson

I did the walk starting from Catshill to Hagley and, apart from a steep climb up steps shortly after leaving Catshill the stretch up to Pepper Wood is a very pleasant mix of field paths and lanes. There is also a 2 hourly bus linking either back to Catshill and on to Bromsgrove or on to Hagley and Stourbridge....

Dave4

Prior to crossing the M5 using a footbridge there is a marvellous view back across Catshill, so there is a reward. The route from the other side of the motorway is a series of footpaths through fields, crossing the occasional lane on the way. The section around Pepper Wood was particularly bad, the path had clearly been rerouted, possibly because the original had collapsed into the stream. The walk from Belbroughton is quite different, following pavements, quiet lanes, farm tracks and crossing the occasional playing field....

David Sanderson

There is road walking with no pavement at the Romsley end, but this is a quiet road with little traffic and there are verges to escape onto. The roads at the Hagley end are busier but have pavements. The countryside on the Clent Hills is superb....

Tim Ryan

The alternative I took was to go north on the minor road to Waggon Lane, turn right then right again at the bridleway to rejoin the route at Churchill Lane....

Tim Ryan

These, the A451 and the A449 are however just crossed, the A451 is a staggered crossing ' but with a verge to walk on....

Tim Ryan

The route compiler has left very good directions and has clearly a good knowledge of the route. It would make sense for that person to review it and get the route 'snailed'....

Dave4

A step free version is possible by staying on the main road and joining the road to the front of the station. First, crossing the A491 from the direction of Stourbridge Town Station and then crossing Racecourse Lane, which isn't easy to see along....

David Sanderson

This is a delightful stroll beside the Blakedown Brook from Kidderminster through the villages of Blakedown and Churchill to Hagley. The route generally follows the travel corridor, parallel to the railway line towards Birmingham. The proposed route from Perriford Lane to Blakedown is private property and requires an alternative route....

The wanderlost surveyor

Tackled route in reverse after days of storms and it was nowhere near as muddy as expected. Generally good although route takes you down a private road which may not be appropriate...

Bruciestokes

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....

[email protected]

Although starting and ending along roads, this is an excellent route taking you to the top of Clent Hills, which is National Trust Land. This is the scenic way between the 2 villages....

rachelcgen