About Clive G
1,684 km
402:54 h
Recent Activity
Clive G planned a hike.
3 days ago
13:47
43.4km
3.2km/h
2,040m
2,040m
Clive G went for a hike.
7 days ago
This section of the trail picks up where we left off on the Garway Loop at the top of the hill above Pontrilas, then down through the village and on to Ewyas Harold, over the common to Abbey Dore and then along the Golden Valley to the end point near Bacton. My starting point today was the parking area by the old station at Pontrilas - but it could well be that the station gets a new lease of life and is re-opened soon. Pontrilas is a little place, not exactly picturesque, and most famous for it's huge Sawmills and the Army Training area. The walk begins by a long uphill pull along the Orcop road to reach the point where we left off with the Garway Loop. Once reached it is back downhill to Pontrilas. The Trail crosses the River Dore and then the A465 before taking to a muddy track and then a path that follows the Dulas Brook to Ewyas Harold. The Dulas Brook is usually just a small river about 10 feet wide and a few inches deep, but on the 18th November 2025 localised torrential rain caused the brook to overflow and flood the centre of the village. From the centre of Ewyas Harold, the route climbs steeply onto Ewyas Harold Common which is an undoubted highlight of this section, Though it was muddy and murky today, in better weather it would be easier going with wide views to the Black Mountains to the west and across Herefordshire to the east. Having crossed the common, the route drops down to Abbey Dore, giving fine views of the magnificent Abbey. Here is a good website that describes Dore Abbey well - https://www.doreabbey.org.uk/ Having had a good look at the Abbey, the Trail passes through the grounds right next to the building, cross the old route of the Golden Valley railway (only a very low embankment left, no rails) and then the River Dore by an old concrete bridge. On the other side of the river you encounter a serious barbed wire topped fence, which marks the perimeter of the Pontrilas Army Training Area. For walkers on the Herefordshire Trail the perimeter has the advantage of being dry and firm underfoot. The rest of this section of the Trail follows River Dore and can be either reasonably dry underfoot or very wet, dependent on the height if the river bank. Photos to follow.
03:57
17.8km
4.5km/h
320m
340m
Clive G went for a hike.
December 20, 2025
A short loop over and then round Pudford Hill, north of Martley, Worcestershire. The walk starts at a small parking place close to the huge abandoned Limestone quarry, down the hill and then past the boggy gate to join the Worcestershire Way / Geopark Way. The walk soon improves as the path starts to climb a little and then more steeply through woods to reach the ridgeline. The walk then steadily climbs along a well defined ridge with a small drop on the east side and a much bigger drop down to the Teme Valley to the west. Aftger about a mile you reach the top of Pudford Hill will expansive views to the west across the Teme Valley. There are some benches where you can have a picnic and take in the view at your leisure. The route then slowly descends along the ridge line through woods which are very pleasant. The turning point is where the path meets Pudford Lane, doubling back to follow the lane just below the ridge line. The lane is followed for about a mile before turning off onto a bridleway at a sharp bend in the road. The path climbs up over pastures to a point a little below the ridge line, turning left onto a bridleway through the woods to eventually rejoin the Worcestershire Way close to the start. There is another bridleway further down the hill in valley, but don't be tempted at this time of year as it will be a complete quagmire - I speak from experience!
01:30
6.91km
4.6km/h
230m
230m
Clive G planned a hike.
December 20, 2025
01:45
6.35km
3.6km/h
110m
110m
Clive G planned a hike.
December 17, 2025
04:47
17.5km
3.7km/h
260m
260m
Clive G went for a hike.
December 16, 2025
This route takes advantage of a big kink in the Herefordshire Trail, allowing the walk to be a circuit rather than a there and back. It also shows the very best of what this trail has to offer, and some of the worst. The route starts at a small parking spot by a footbridge over the river Monnow, which was going well after yesterday's rain. Follow the road uphill for about half a mile or so and then take the signed path upwards on pastureland at a sharp right hand bend in the road. The route climbs steadily across the south side of Garway Hill, and shortly after passing Little Castlefield the route turns sharply left to start climbing the open hillside of Garway Hill. This is the best part of the walk, and one of the real highlights of the Herefordshire Trail. As you climb views to the south and west begin to open up, looking across to Graig Syfyrddin on the other side of the Monnow valley in Wales. Further on you can see Sugarloaf Mountain at the south end of the Black Mountains, and Skirrid Fawr almost end on. Many hills have a rough stone shelter at the top, but this one has a substantial octagonal brick-built shelter set in the middle of a square that is made out by low cut ditches - apparently it was a wartime radio building. As with many of the higher hills in this area, including across the border in Wales, there are also ponies wandering on the open ground at the top of the hill. A bit further on is the very obvious radio / mobile phone mast, and just next to it is the start of an enclosed wooded path that leads down the north side of the hill. Not long after the path reaches Garway Road, the route passes the little Methodist chapel at a fork in the road. Continue on the road to the little settlement of Bagwyllydiart and, weirdly, leave Saddlebow Road to walk right across the front lawn of a bungalow before heading off across soggy fields and pasture. At Grafton Oak it is a relief to pick up a farm track that leads down to Marlas and Marlas Brook. From there the route climbs steadily along the road to Little Gwerngenny where there is a right turn over a rough stile and onto a path by a small wood that leads to Gwern-genny farm. Follow the track to Benarth Farm and then left and downhill along a good farm road past a small pool. Follow the road before joining a footpath to the left by Orchards farm. Not long afterwards there is a footbridge to cross, and be warned it is in a poor state of repair. Similarly you soon reach a gate at Brooks Farm that is so rotten it is falling over. Eventually after walking on the edge of several soggy fields the route reaches the Pontrilas road, and not long after that meets up with the Herefordshire Trail again. The route crosses a very soggy wheatfield and then enters Gwern-gounsell Wood. Parts of this path are fine, but as you will see if you zoom in on the GPS track you will see that problems arose as the path was completely overgrown by a thick bramble patch and it was just as well I had walking poles with me to help fight a way through them. Trails such as this should not get so overgrown. The path continues downhill into Charlotte's Wood, which was quite pleasant and clear. However just before entering the spread-out village of Kentchurch the trail goes through a pig's enclosure which after the recent rain was difficult and very muddy. Apparently they also bite, so leave them alone. The rest of the route is along a single track road, passing an entrance arch to the Kentchurch Court, and the church of St Mary's, which is worth seeing.
04:02
17.1km
4.2km/h
470m
470m
Clive G went for a hike.
December 14, 2025
An up and down circuit where the borders of Herfordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire meet. The walk starts in Gloucestershire at a small parking area at the end of Chase End Hill, and just about enters Worcestershire as you climb the hill to the Trig Point. The descent path just about crosses back into Gloucestershire and then back again at he lovely and quirky hamlet of White Leaved Oak which even has it's own stocks and entertaining public noticeboard. As we leave White Leaved Oak the route enters Herefordshire and also the grounds of Eastnor castle and park. Eastnor occupies a dip between the south end of the Malvern Hills, the Ledbury hills to the west and Howlers Heath to the south. The park is a mixture of pasture and woodland, and as the estate is a 'sporting' estate you will see pheasants all over the place as they do breed them in various places. There is a lack of footpath signs, so the route through the estate is not always obvious. The route passes a large house called Hillend before descending across pastures to meet Glynch Brook, which is crossed using a bridge that has seen better days. The woodland on the other side is somewhat overgrown and the route through it takes some finding. Once through the route meets and the follows Clenchers Mill Lane which has some very nice cottages and as the name suggests, an old water mill. Just after the mill the route crosses the Glynch Brook again at a ford. After the ford the route leaves Herefordshire and re-enters Gloucestershire and follows the brook, along the edge of fields, before turning to the north east and beginning the long steady climb up to Howlers Heath. At the sharp right-hand bend in the route I would recommend staying on the right-hand side of the hedge as the 'path' on the left-hand (north) side meets an impenetrable hedge and fence. The route meets woodland at the highest point of Howlers Heath and then descends steeply quite a long way down well made steps. At the bottom the path meets a well made track that leads down to the road and after a short but sharp climb back to the starting point.
02:21
10.8km
4.6km/h
240m
270m
Clive G went for a hike.
December 13, 2025
A short dog walk in the Suckley Hills that follows the Worcestershire Way for the first half as it climbs along a wooded ridge before dropping down past an apple orchard and then climbing into Blackhouse Wood nature reserve. The route follws a track through the wood before doubling back and down to meet Blackhouse Lane. Follow the lane down to cross the Leigh Brook at the junction with Stocks Lane. There is a converted Watermill just by the junction. Follow Stocks Lane back to the starting point.
01:01
4.76km
4.7km/h
140m
130m
As ever ... super photos 👏🏻
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