Malvern Hills - Wildlove Walks

Victoria Waits
Dec 5, 2025
3 min read

Malvern Hills - Three Choirs Way.

This walk was beautifulllll, we visited where the black berries were ripe so had lots of chances to stop and enjoy foraged snacks along the way. Malvern may be a place you visit often so having a completely different starting point to a walk can be inspiring, I hadn't done this starting point before and it was refreshing to see the hills from a completely different view. I can imagine that this walk will be lovely through winter months, sunsets and of course the peak of summer for a sunrise. We took two cars as this isn't a circular walk but I'm sure it can be made into one! So park one end, walk and drive back to your parked car and you're good to go!

Route Overview:

Name: Scenic hike on Three Choirs Way (Worcester to Gloucester)
Path: From North Malvern to Great Malvern
Key Waypoints: Earnslaw Lake, Summer Hill, and Worcestershire Beacon
Region: Central England and the Midlands (Worcestershire)

Statistics:

Total Distance: 5.3 km (approx. 3.3 miles)
Moving Time: 1 hour 7 minutes (Total recording time: 2 hours 42 minutes)
Elevation: 294m ascent, 323m descent
Highest Point: 415m (Worcestershire Beacon area)
Average Speed: 4.7 km/h

Terrain & Path Conditions

This route is a mix of open, windswept ridges and sheltered woodland trails.

The Ascent: The hike begins with a significant climb from North Malvern. Expect steep, zigzagging paths that can be lung-busting. The ground here is typically hard-packed earth or grassy tracks, which can be slippery after rain.
The Ridge (Beacon to Summer Hill): Once you reach the ridgeline near the Worcestershire Beacon, the terrain opens up. The paths here are broad, well-trodden, and grassy, often with rocky outcrops. This section is very exposed to the wind.
The Descent (via Earnslaw Lake): As you head towards Summer Hill and drop down to Earnslaw Lake (often called Earnslaw Pool), the terrain changes to woodland trails. These paths can be muddier and uneven with tree roots. The area around the lake itself is often quieter, damp, and shaded.
Final Stretch: The drop into Great Malvern usually rejoins tarmac lanes or surfaced paths (like the "Ladies Walk" or paths near St Ann's Well), making for an easier, albeit steep, finish on the knees.

The Views

This route offers some of the best vantage points in the Midlands.

Worcestershire Beacon (425m): As the highest point in the range, the summit offers a spectacular 360-degree panorama. On a clear day, you can see:
- West: The rolling hills of Herefordshire and the Black Mountains in Wales.
- East: The Severn Valley, the Cotswolds escarpment, and the Vale of Evesham.
- North/South: The spine of the Malvern ridge itself, curving away from you.
Summer Hill: Slightly lower and less crowded than the Beacon, it offers beautiful views looking back towards the Beacon and down into the wooded valleys.
Earnslaw Lake: A complete contrast to the big vistas; this is an intimate, enclosed view. It is a hidden, historic pool surrounded by trees—a peaceful, reflective spot (originally created during the Victorian "Water Cure" era).

Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous

While not a technical climb, this walk requires a good level of fitness.

Steepness: The initial ascent to the Beacon and the subsequent ups and downs along the ridge involve around 294m (almost 1,000ft) of elevation gain. The gradients are steep enough to get your heart rate up significantly.
Footing: Generally good, but "sure-footedness" is required on the descent from the ridge to the lake, where loose stones or mud can be an issue.
Exposure: The ridge is completely exposed to the elements. If it is windy or raining, the difficulty increases as there is no shelter until you drop down into the woods near Earnslaw.