Kinver - a walker's favourite. Long distance paths and Kinver

Kinver has long been a favourite place for walkers, and this blogpost explains why.

At the top of Kinver Edge is this three-way signpost.  As well as short walks on the Edge itself, it marks two nationally recognised Long Distance Paths: the Staffordshire Way and the North Worcestershire Path

Let's have a look at these in more detail. First, the North Worcestershire Path: the path sign is a pine cone

It is 35 miles long, stretching from Bewdley Town Centre to Majors Green, on the edge of Birmingham

These scenes are round Caunsall, where it goes after leaving Kinver Edge

The North Worcestershire Path shown on OS maps, and is fairly easy to follow. From here, it goes to Clent, and the Lickey Hills

  
Next, the Staffordshire Way which starts on the Edge in Kinver, right at the south of the county.
The Staffordshire Knot is on the signs

From Kinver, it runs 95 miles to Mow Cop in the north of Staffordshire.

The Staffordshire Way passes through Enville after Kinver...which is where these pictures are from

After Enville, the Staffordshire Way goes towards Codsall, then to Cannock Chase, Abbots Bromley, Uttoxeter and Alton. All very interesting and attractive places.  (Enville Hall below)

But up to about 10 years ago, there was a third Long Distance Path on the sign. It was the Worcestershire Way, which went 39 miles from Kinver to Malvern. It still exists, but the start has been moved to Bewdley and the North Worcs Path has been lengthened. 
This is the sign, a Worcester pear. I haven't walked this path for 15 years, but I will do so soon, and put pictures on here.

So that's three nationally recognised Long Distance Paths in Kinver. Three more than most places!
But wait... there are more.

The Monarch's Way, a 615 mile path  - explained on the sign 

The Monarch's Way sign: A ship, a crown and an oak tree

Starting at Powick Bridge, where the Battle of Worcester was fought (below)...

The Monarch's Way arrives in Stourbridge and then follows the canal to Stourton, and on past Greensforge and Wombourne, up to Boscobel, then back past Halesowen Abbey and on to the South Coast.

These pictures are from near Stourton

Stourton Bottom Locks - perhaps the prettiest locks in the whole of Britain (and right by the ugly A449!)

The Monarch's Way is also marked on OS maps, although its signposting is done by volunteers. I am currently walking it in stages, and it's very well marked so far.

You'd think that would be it. Four long distance paths in one district.

But there is a final one - the Navigation Way runs for around 100 miles along the canals of the West Midlands, and it includes a branch off along the Staffs and Worcs Canal to Stourton and Kinver. These places aren't on the main route, but they are too pretty to miss. The Navigation Way isn't marked on maps - you would need a guidebook (I have details if you want them. Email me - address below. Or Facebook message me if you want to know)

That's it. I hope you've learnt something about your local area. And maybe been tempted to try some of these routes. Keep watching, I'll be covering them all.