Dudley Trail: the 9 mile route

On the first Sunday of May, every year, Dudley holds its Borough Trails event. You can choose from 6,9 12, 18 and 26 miles.

Some people might be put off by the sound of walking in an urban area.This post is aims to show you just how beautiful urban walking can (mostly) be. 

Picture : End of the canal near Fens Pool, Pensnett.

Admittedly, the start of the route is a bit urban, with the blend of Victorian and modern flats by the Leisure Centre, where you register to start the  trail

...but within 400 metres you are off the road and walking through a leafy cemetery 

I love this picture - looks so unpromising but cross the road, and 100 metres later...

...these steps lead down to ...

...the portal for Dudley Tunnel

 The 9 mile trail then reaches Park Head Locks and the viaduct 

Looking towards the church at Netherton

Past Blowers Green pumphouse

The canal could be in the depths of the countryside

There are lots of wild flowers - like these forget-me-nots

 
Though canals were built to serve the Black Country's industry, there's very little left now. There are only rare glimpses, like this old winding gear

A cheery narrowboater!

Rusting bridge with beautiful greenery

Then, round the corner - the recently developed Waterfront

The canal passes high above the Merry Hill Shopping Centre - handy as a source of refreshment, but it's quite a steep descent to get to it.

Just past Merry Hill, the canal passes under Ninelocks Bridge to reveal  - you guessed it, nine locks 

The litter pickers had worked hard - there was barely any anywhere.

The locks are properly called the Delph Flight 

Ground paddle with BCN cast into it. (Birmingham Canal Network: it famously has more canals than Venice - though fewer gondolas!)

The locks are close, so in order to provide sufficient water, each lock has a pound which continues round the side...

...and then overflows to the next, if there's too much water.

Who can say urban walking lacks attraction? 

Boats moored near old buildings, just after the curiously named Seven Dwellings Bridge

My first ducklings of the year. One is almost hidden in the reeds.

Bowen's Bridge needs some attention. 

 ...on both sides

A new canalside development.

Bluebells

And still the walk continues

Suddenly, a bit of industry intrudes, as you turn left onto the Stourbridge Canal 

A short distance takes you to Fens Pool Nature Reserve.

Every single time I visit here, the sky clouds over - I can assure that is attractive though - even if it looks a bit miserable here

Then to an old railway line . As you would expect, this area has many of these

This one then goes under Pensett High Street (though you can't see it)

...and on past bluebell woods  - they're just starting here

On the other side, an enormous quarry. Limestone I think.

You have to look out for this tiny gas marker, to indicate that you turn onto another path here (Obviously, I missed it at first)

Then, more pleasant walking, looking towards Barrow Hill - the remains of Dudley's volcano.

The leafy path continues towards Russells Hall

Just over a quarter mile of road walking brings you to this path which follows woodland and grassland right to the top of the hill. At that point the Leisure Centre, where you started, is just over the road.

NB If you did the Dudley Trail many years ago, this last section is much better than the old route which went across old scrubland.

I hope I've managed to persuade you that urban walking can be rewarding. There's still time to enter the walk (you can enter on the day if you want) Click here for details

Why not give it a go? The route's a bit long for description here, but if you want more details, feel free to email me. lucygriffiths1112*gmail.com (replacing the * with @)