phase1-alvechurch-longbridge-walk.gpx | |
File Size: | 61 kb |
File Type: | gpx |
The above file is the GPX from my GPS device. Right click on it, Save Target As and rename from an XML to a GPX. You should be able to import into your GPX or mapping software.
Alvechurch Station
Walk to the end of the car park and look for a metal gate in the fence. Carefully cross the track and cross the field, aiming for the far left hand corner. This brings you to the canal, where you turn right.
Pass the Alvechurch Marina and continue north until you come to where the canal was rerouted at the M42. There is a bridge to cross, but it is blocked off. Fear not, the canal has been split, so cross at the dead end and continue north, under the M42. Walk past lower Bittell reservoir and look out for Bridge 66. Once under, you can climb up onto the road above.
Bittell Farm and Reservoir
From bridge 66, head through the farm. Cross the lane and the path is directly opposite. Fine views over to the Lickeys, as we meet the most southernly point of Upper Bittell Reservoir. Continue along the shore until you reach a fence, where you turn left, then almost immediately right. Pass a rather pleasant duck pond on a tarmaced drive. Turn left on the road - you are now on the North Worcestershire Path (NWP). Walk under the railway line, pass the church and look for a well marked path on the right hand side of the lane at the house. Follow the NWP signs, across fields, over a bridlepath and the backs of houses, as we arrive at Cofton Hill.
Lickey Hills
You are still on the NWP. It is steep and meanders, but if you are going uphill, thats the general idea. Emerge at the visitor centre and look for the NWP on the right hand side at the entrance to the car park. Follow this path down and cross the road to enter the grounds of the Lickey Hills Golf Course. There is a cafe and the Rose and Crown Hotel. Follow the duck pond and follow the signs to the Toposcope. Once again, there are lots of paths but if you are going uphill, you are going the right way. You will emerge out of trees and see the castle, which hosts the toposcope.
After you have soaked in the views, head downhill towards the city. Look for the tree line to the right hand side of the Toposcope. There is a gap in the corner which leads to a good downhill path. This will cross the golf course, so watch out for badly dressed men firing balls at you. You have every right to be here, it's a public path. The signs will direct you into the tree cover and the paths get a little indistinct and some marked on the map simply disappear. Once in the trees, head east and follow the path. You will emerge at a bridlepath, where you could turn right but there is another path that runs parallel at the top of the hill. To take this, look left and see a narrow path climbing steeply. Turn right at the next path, where you can follow the red Woodpecker Signs. You will emerge at the roundabout by the Oak Tree Pub.
Cofton
Turn left towards Rednal. Cofton Park will be on your right hand side. This is lush greenery and you just need to cross the park, aiming for the swings and red brick building, which you will pass to the left. This brings you to Lowhill Lane, directly opposite the main entrance to the MG Factory. Turn left down this road and then right at the lights, onto the Lickey Road. Walk over the Longbridge roundabout and first right into Longbridge Lane, where you will find the Station.
Walk to the end of the car park and look for a metal gate in the fence. Carefully cross the track and cross the field, aiming for the far left hand corner. This brings you to the canal, where you turn right.
Pass the Alvechurch Marina and continue north until you come to where the canal was rerouted at the M42. There is a bridge to cross, but it is blocked off. Fear not, the canal has been split, so cross at the dead end and continue north, under the M42. Walk past lower Bittell reservoir and look out for Bridge 66. Once under, you can climb up onto the road above.
Bittell Farm and Reservoir
From bridge 66, head through the farm. Cross the lane and the path is directly opposite. Fine views over to the Lickeys, as we meet the most southernly point of Upper Bittell Reservoir. Continue along the shore until you reach a fence, where you turn left, then almost immediately right. Pass a rather pleasant duck pond on a tarmaced drive. Turn left on the road - you are now on the North Worcestershire Path (NWP). Walk under the railway line, pass the church and look for a well marked path on the right hand side of the lane at the house. Follow the NWP signs, across fields, over a bridlepath and the backs of houses, as we arrive at Cofton Hill.
Lickey Hills
You are still on the NWP. It is steep and meanders, but if you are going uphill, thats the general idea. Emerge at the visitor centre and look for the NWP on the right hand side at the entrance to the car park. Follow this path down and cross the road to enter the grounds of the Lickey Hills Golf Course. There is a cafe and the Rose and Crown Hotel. Follow the duck pond and follow the signs to the Toposcope. Once again, there are lots of paths but if you are going uphill, you are going the right way. You will emerge out of trees and see the castle, which hosts the toposcope.
After you have soaked in the views, head downhill towards the city. Look for the tree line to the right hand side of the Toposcope. There is a gap in the corner which leads to a good downhill path. This will cross the golf course, so watch out for badly dressed men firing balls at you. You have every right to be here, it's a public path. The signs will direct you into the tree cover and the paths get a little indistinct and some marked on the map simply disappear. Once in the trees, head east and follow the path. You will emerge at a bridlepath, where you could turn right but there is another path that runs parallel at the top of the hill. To take this, look left and see a narrow path climbing steeply. Turn right at the next path, where you can follow the red Woodpecker Signs. You will emerge at the roundabout by the Oak Tree Pub.
Cofton
Turn left towards Rednal. Cofton Park will be on your right hand side. This is lush greenery and you just need to cross the park, aiming for the swings and red brick building, which you will pass to the left. This brings you to Lowhill Lane, directly opposite the main entrance to the MG Factory. Turn left down this road and then right at the lights, onto the Lickey Road. Walk over the Longbridge roundabout and first right into Longbridge Lane, where you will find the Station.