Hiking the Malvern Hills: A Ridge Walk with Epic Views

Last Updated on 14th May 2025

Distance: Approx. 10 miles (16 km)
Duration: 4.5 hours (good pace with snack/photo/pub stops)
Route type: Circular ridge walk
Start/End point: Great Malvern train station

Visiting the Malvern Hills has been on my walking bucket list ever since it appeared on ITV’s Britains Favourite Walks a few years ago.

It looked like a stunning ridge to enjoy, so 2 years later I dragged my brother and friend a long, and we finally did the walk.

There’s something truly soul-refreshing about a ridge walk – and the Malvern Hills serve it up in style. If you’ve ever stood at the highest point, with stunning 360 degree panoramic views all round you, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

This route along the spine of the Malvern Hills is a classic – it offers a solid leg workout, and a few moments of genuine ‘wow’ on a clear day when the sun lights up the landscape.

That is exactly what happened when I visited 🙂

Getting Started – North Hill

The accommodation prices seemed a little crazy in Great Malvern, so we stayed in a funky Airbnb apartment in Worcester. The train from Worcester Foregate Street to Great Malvern takes 11 minutes, and you can kick off the walk from there.

From the get-go, the climb towards the town centre is a decent calf-warmer – nothing too strenuous, but enough to remind you it’s not a walk in the park.

The path quickly gets steeper, and as you climb through the shaded trees and woodland (a bonus on a hot, sunny May day like we had!), you are eventually rewarded with the first proper view looking back over Great Malvern and the Worcestershire countryside.

Out of the shade and into the sun, we eventually reached the top of North Hill – our most Northerly point of the walk – after a steep climb. The perfect time to take a few snaps and take on some well needed water!

The Ridge – Worcestershire Beacon & Beyond

The trail snakes up and down south along the ridge, crossing the Worcestershire Beacon, the highest point of the Malvern Hills at 425m. There’s a toposcope at the summit, perfect for pausing and spotting landmarks in every direction. Although I confess – this place is RAMMED on a nice day like we had.

We also had the privilege of watching a parascender take off to enjoy the blue skies of the surrounding area.

It can pretty windy at the highest point of the Malvern Hills, so make sure you pack a decent jumper & jacket just in case. The path is mostly well-defined, but be prepared for rocky and uneven patches. Sturdy boots / walking shoes are a must if you don’t want to roll your ankle.

From there, we meandered down onto a quieter, shaded track, following the undulating spine of the hills. You can hit several peaks along the rest of the Malvern Hills ridge, including Summer Hill, Jubilee Hill, and British Camp – an Iron Age hill fort that looks absolutely incredible from any angle.

We hit Perseverance Hill, and then veered West, back into shady woodland and farmers fields.

The Return Loop

Slightly lower down along the western flanks of the hills, you’ll spot lovely houses you’ll wish to live in. It’s much quieter here, and you’ll pass grassy slopes and sheep-dotted meadows that feel a world away from the busier ridge.

Our route eventually snaked into the small village of West Malvern, and a well needed stop at the Brewers Arms pub to hydrate ourselves and the dogs!

From the pub, it is a straight walk back up the hill towards the beacon. You’ll eventually rejoin the upper ridge closer to the northern end, giving you one last look at the wide Herefordshire plains before dropping back down one of the paths into Great Malvern.

Final Thoughts

If you’re after a walk that delivers on views, variety, and proper fresh air, this one ticks every box. You don’t need to be super-fit to hike the Malvern Hills, but be ready for a few solid ascents. The full ridge circuit can be done in under 4 hours at a relaxed pace, but there’s no rush and plenty of paths to make your own route.

Tips & Gear

There is parking available close to the top of the beacon. Whilst that is great for bringing the kids, parking spaces do fill up quickly at weekends — get there early or aim for a weekday.

Bring layers — it can be warm on the tops but also blowy and breezy.

There are no cafes directly on the ridge, so pack snacks and plenty of water.

Try and time your walk for golden hour — the light across the hills is magical. In fact the Malvern Hills has been voted one of the best places in the UK to watch the sunset.

Have you hiked the Malverns? Drop a comment below or tag me on Instagram — I’m always up for seeing your adventures!