North Worcs Path. Drakelow to Bodenham

I've been following bits of the N Worcs Path, just to explore it really.
I started today by Drakelow Tunnels, where the path crosses into Sladd Lane.

There was a stream flowing down the road. Bright red from the sandstone.

The path goes through this caravan park. (I returned via the Little Hobro road signposted here.)

The path rises steeply (it climbs about 400 feet)

Foxgloves in the hedgerow

Looking back to Kinver Edge, from about a third of the way up

Halfway up, the Clent Hills appear over the top of the woodland

Sunshine and shadows play on the wooded Kinver Edge

Higher still, and the Clents are even more visible. 

The wheat is growing well in this field near the summit...

 ...though the path still climbs.

From here, the views are superb (Sheepwalks on the left, Black Country ahead)

Sweeping further round, Turners Hill, highest point in the West Midlands is the tiny lump on the horizon.

Towards Clent

Looking back down the hill

I left the path at this point, turning towards Bodenham. Of which more tomorrow.
But the interesting thing is that tomorrow's walk has a "Viewpoint" highlighted on the map. The view was nowhere near as good as these views though!

Today's walk: A 3 mile circuit. Starting from Sladd Lane (off Kingsford Lane) and following the N Worcs Path to the bridleway to Bodenham. The path skirts Bodenham Arboretum, before entering it to follow the Five Pools walk - which you can do because it's a public footpath, then it's a remote narrow lane back to the start. Though it's only 3 miles, there's more than 400 feet of climb, so it's definitely challenging for the first half. 

Dudley trail - Colley Gate to Pedmore

Continuing my walk along the 26 mile Dudley trail, I turned down Toys Lane. What a view from these houses!

The Two Gates Ragged School Independent Methodist Church (Long name - not much room on the notepaper after that!!!). There's a Wartime Singalong there soon, if you're interested.

The little Ragged Chapel itself

Here was a strange name for a street. Whynot?

All was revealed: it was named after a Grand National Winner from 1894

From there, it was along Foxcote Lane. Great views over towards the Clent Hills

Who would believe this was taken in a Metropolitan Borough?

The field was being mowed - for hay, I think. It's being left to dry before baling.

The path goes through beautiful flower meadows

Looking over towards Woodbury Hill. (You can only see the Obelisk in the winter: it's on the saddle of the hill - behind the leafy trees)

The meadows continue

Reaching Pedmore Lane, the views are again fantastic. This is over to Brierley Hill

The verges were full of bloom

A remnant of the Dudley Trail day, which took place in early May

It points over this unofficial bridge

The path leads up towards the Obelisk (but doesn't pass it).

...the views are extensive

The Wrekin, Shropshire, on the skyline

The Clee Hills in the distance (Titterstone Clee on the left, Brown Clee on the right)

 Descending towards Pedmore  

I wondered what these building were - they look like an old factory.

Down into Pedmore - the lych gate at St Peter's Church

It dates from the 12th century but has been much restored

Old yew trees in the church yard

Well, that's the end of the first section of the 26 mile route. I'll explore the next section soon. Keep watching out!

Click here if you missed the first section of this route

Today's route: part of the 26 mile Dudley Trail; I started at Dudley yesterday. To walk from the start of the Trail to here is 8.5 miles. I made use of a lift in a car, but it could be done by bus. The route is only published during the day of the Trail: it is not an established full time route. Though I think it should be. I might start a campaign! If you contact me by email (address in the yellow box), I can send you my summary of the route.

You can see the other routes on these links:

Click here for the 6 mile route

Click here for the 9 mile route (this one is really flat, and hardly goes on roads at all)

Click here for the 12 mile route 

Dudley Trail - the main trail

Every May, people from from all over Dudley walk one of the Dudley Trails. I walked some of them just recently (links at the bottom of the page)

But this is the biggest and best of the lot: the 26 mile trail, where it all started. 

Just over one mile in, and here's the beautiful view towards Park Head locks.

You get there from the rather  - let's face it -ugly Dudley by pass.

100 metres, then down these steps and the glory of the walk begins

Dudley Tunnel entrance: you may have seen the other end (it emerges into the Black Country Museum) but have you seen this end?

I followed the canal under the Park Head Viaduct,

...then past some workers who were mowing (and sending the canal green with clippings!)

This bridge is getting rather worn on top.

The canal is teeming with wildlife - flowers, birds and insects.

I turned off towards Lodge Farm reservoir

...with good views towards the Clent Hills

In Saltwells I looked at the hole which was Doulton's Claypit. Much of the clay went by canal to Stoke on Trent where it was made into sinks and toilets.

It's now a lovely Nature Reserve.

I emerged by these old houses at Mushroom Green.

Crossing the road, I was then in Saltwells Nature Reserve. (Not to be confused with Saltwells Wood, although I was)

There's more lovely scenery here

I came out by the Waggon and Horses

Following the road upwards, I passed Park Lane Chapel.

And then the Park Lane Tavern.

And that's the first section of the walk. More tomorrow!

If you want to see some of the other walks:
Click here for the six mile walk 
Click here for the nine mile walk
Click here for the 12 mile walk

Today's walk: Part of the 26 mile route of the Dudley Trail. I was lucky to have lifts at both ends, so I walked from the start to Pedmore. Around 8 miles of fascinating walking. You could get a bus back to Dudley from here. If you are interested in walking the route - contact me (email below and I will send you a route)