Short but superb. Habberley Valley, near Kidderminster

I was driving past here and thought I'd do a quick walk. It turned out to be absolutely lovely.

The notice board described a 2.5 mile walk (Click here for a copy) which sounded ideal (I was a bit rushed for time) Here's the start. It's in Habberley Valley, near 

Kidderminster

The trail passes this house: if you look carefully, it's built into the rock. This area is noted for houses cut into the soft red sandstone

This being Habberley Valley, I was expecting a valley walk. However these steps are part of a very steep climb

There's a break half way up with distant views over to the Malverns

A family of sheep posed for a photograph

More woodland walking, now gently uphill

Plenty of wood anemones to look at on the way

At the top of the Severn watershed, there are views over to the Clee Hills

The whole route is well signposted. I didn't have a map at all with me, as I wanted to see if it could be done without. (Answer: yes!)

Goats grazing peacefully

After a short road section, the path turns back to the top of the hill and there is the first sight of the next section. A flattish field with a steep edge, from which there are fantastic views 

A pretty useless hedge:  it won't keep anything out or in with holes like that! (Views of the Clent Hills on the right)

 There's a notice explaining the panorama

The steep woodland (left) is Kinver Edge, with the Black Country behind it

Some walkers on the way up. I'd recommend doing the route clockwise though, so have this view in front of you as you descend. It's much steeper than the picture makes it look.

At the bottom, another find: a little brook babbling along...

...wild violets next to it,...

...and bluebells too. A lovely shady spot. (It was a hot day!)

Another rock house just visible through the trees 

Then a path where the red sandstone has worn into a hollow

Newly ploughed land on one side

A crop-sprayer on the other side.

Shining fields. Not water, it's plastic to warm up the ground for early crops

Past a beautiful bluebell bank...

...and back to the start.

This walk has almost everything in it: good waymarking, woodland, grassland, views which stretch for miles, a stream, farming, rockhouses, interesting agriculture, wild flowers, lots of birdlife. I consider it an ideal walk. The steep climb at the start may put off some. But if you can manage it, do have a go. You won't be disappointed, but don't do it on a misty/rainy/hazy day or you'll miss the views.
Also, it's three miles, rather than 2.5. This is not much if you're counting the miles, it's true. But not every amazing walk has to be long. Short but superb - that's the Habberley Valley walk in a nutshell.