A bluebell walk near Chance Wood, Stourton

Not all walks have to be long and challenging. This is only half a mile - but what a half mile!
Walking down the path towards Chance Wood, past the old stone-walled garden.

The gate and sign for Chance Wood. But no need to go in there today.

There are bluebells on the main path...

...and all through the woods. 

Everywhere.

They're not quite at their best yet, but still they are beautiful.

A tree has recently fallen. 

Looking back up through the woods, with the old rope swing, beloved of generations of children.

The path back up from the swing.

Pink bluebells!

These are honesty (and nettles).

Returning past the walled garden, there are swathes of forget-me-nots among the green.

Today's walk: park in Greensforge Lane, and take the footpath between the houses on the Bridgnorth Road opposite. The path takes you straight to thewoods in about 300 yards. Walk as far as you want, and then return by the same route. Should be even better in a few days time - say, the May Day Bank Holiday. Beautiful scenery for little effort. What more do you need for a great walk? 
But please, don't pick the bluebells. Leave them for everyone to enjoy.

Dudley Trail 6 mile walk

Sunday May 2nd is Dudley Trail Day. Here's a preview of the 6 mile walk

Conditions are great for the Trails this year: there's blossom everywhere. 

Starting from the Leisure Centre, the 6 mile trail goes through the cemetery...

...and on to Park Head locks.

The old viaduct, now disused.

View towards Netherton 

  
So far, it's been the same as the 9 mile trail , but soon you strike off to the left. This bit's rather steep, if you were considering a push chair. But most of it is fairly flat.

This sign eloquently explains the Black Country

You will be returning along this section of canal,

 ...but for now, the route continues over this wild heath-like land near Netherton. Around here was the site of an open cast coal mine, and sometimes this would combust underground, with flames and smoke coming out of the graveyard of St Andrew's Church! 

The gorse is spectacular.

Just visible through the trees, and a long way off, is the Waterfront.

The route crosses this canal and then follows it.

This bridge is very high,...

... because it was once a tunnel, called Brewin's.  It has now been opened up. (You can see the old tunnel brickwork on the left of this picture)

The canal passes Lodge Farm reservoir...

...and continues into Saltwells Nature Reserve. It's on land that was once industrial, but you could barely guess that now. 

In the middle is a huge hole, maybe 100 feet down

The white on the opposite side gives it away. This is Doulton's claypit, where clay was once extracted and then taken away by canal to be used by Royal Doulton for fine china (and also sanitary ware!)

There is a car park 

And there are various trails. This is part of the sculpture trail. The 6 mile trail turns right here.

These woods are already full of bluebells with many more due to open: they should be nearly at their height by May 2nd, the date of the Trail.

Looking back over to Netherton Church, and the gorse which we passed earlier.

Most of the paths are quite good.

Eventually, you reach the canal again. But it's a bit you haven't yet followed.

Industrial history is never far away. You pass the site of Grazebrooks Ironworks: they made the bomb casings for the Dambusters bombs. 

Reflections. You see very little industry along the canal on this walk: this is one of the few times.

An old canal crane by the locks

And here, the Trail passes the locks and then goes a slightly different way home.  

A very interesting Trail with lots to see. Highly Recommended.
If you think the 9 mile route may be better for you, click here to have a look at it.

Today's route followed this year's Dudley Trail 6-mile route. It could be done by energetic pushchair users, but there are steps, so it is better if the child can walk on occasions! It's mostly level with good paths, and not much road walking, except at the beginning and end.

Dudley Trail - information

Walks of six, nine, 12, 18 and 26 miles on offer with routes covering the hidden beauty and proud industrial heritage of the borough. Participants can walk at their own pace and will take in the sights of canal towpaths, disused railway lines, country footpaths and a few roads as part of the walks. All walks start at Dudley Leisure Centre at designated times between 8am and noon. Checkpoints are strategically placed along each of the five routes to ensure the well being and whereabouts of walkers and light refreshments are available.  Everyone who completes a trail receives a certificate of achievement.

It costs £3 per person to join the 26 and 18 mile routes, £2.50 for the 12 and nine mile routes and £1.50 to walk the more gentle six miles routes.  An additional fee of 50p will be charged for all entries on the day.

Entry forms are available online at www.dudley.gov.uk/dudleytrail from Dudley Council’s leisure centres and libraries or by calling Himley Hall on 01384 817817.

Dudley trail - 9 mile route

Next Sunday, May 3rd, Dudley Leisure Centre will be buzzing with people. It's the day of the Dudley trails. I've walked some for you, so you can see what they are like. This is the 9 mile route

It starts off from the Leisure Centre, and down through the Cemetery.

You cross the bypass. So far, not so scenic.

But then the route really starts! Down these steps and onto the Dudley Canal.

No, not through the Dudley Tunnel.

The other way, to Park Head Locks.

View towards Netherton.

Following the Canal to Black Delph Junction.

Past Blowers Green Pumphouse

The towpaths are in great condition.

This swan wasn't happy to see me. I didn't even zoom for this picture: he got that close!

And here's why: his mate sitting on a nest

Plenty of forget me nots along the route

Some old winding gear.

And the route goes on past the Waterfront,...

 ...and Merry Hill as you rarely see it.

Almost immediately afterwards, you meet the nine locks at Delph

The overflows by each lock are very impressive

Along the route, there are some old buildings, reminders of the days when the canals carried coal, iron and glass from the Black Country to places all over England, and on to the continent.

Some goslings and their parents, trying to look invisible.

The colours on this walk are just amazing.

Looks like a painting by Monet!

You turn right, on the canal towards Pensnett. Some industrial buildings here, which are quite interesting.

This is the end of the canal, by the Dell Stadium. Beautiful.

Th remains of the old canal, now part of the Fens Pool Nature reserve.

A view of Fens Pool - unfortunately the weather turned dull, which was a shame.

From there, you follow the route of the old railway: this is an ambulance going over the bridge on Pensnett High Street.

More lovely walking.

The area is quite wild.

The site of an old quarry.

An abandoned chimney: maybe from a brick-works?

A small bit of road walking towards the end of the walk: cherry trees by Himley Road.

But the route soon turns back onto this path, and finally back to Dudley Leisure Centre.

I will be trying the 12 and 6 mile routes next week, so if this walk isn't for you, keep a lookout for the others.

Today's route was 9 miles, and is the exact one used for one of the Dudley Trail walks this year. It is almost all flat, except right at the end, and the paths are good, clear and well-maintained.

Dudley Trail - information

Walks of six, nine, 12, 18 and 26 miles on offer with routes covering the hidden beauty and proud industrial heritage of the borough. Participants can walk at their own pace and will take in the sights of canal towpaths, disused railway lines, country footpaths and a few roads as part of the walks. All walks start at Dudley Leisure Centre at designated times between 8am and noon. Checkpoints are strategically placed along each of the five routes to ensure the well being and whereabouts of walkers and light refreshments are available.  Everyone who completes a trail receives a certificate of achievement.

It costs £3 per person to join the 26 and 18 mile routes, £2.50 for the 12 and nine mile routes and £1.50 to walk the more gentle six miles routes.  An additional fee of 50p will be charged for all entries on the day.

Entry forms are available online at www.dudley.gov.uk/dudleytrail from Dudley Council’s leisure centres and libraries or by calling Himley Hall on 01384 817817.