Walking Routes in West Midlands

Select a Region

Please use the links below to view full route information including descriptions, elevation profiles, interactive maps and GPS downloads.

You can also view an overview map of all the routes in the county here

Search for a Route: Go


West Midlands Walks
Route Name	Pic	Distance	Description
Beacon Way		16 miles (25 km)	This is the section of the Beacon Way from Sandwell to Chasewater and takes in the nature reserves, canals and woodland around Walsall. You start by the restored, Victorian Sandwell Park Farm in West Bromwich and head through Sandwell Country Park and past the lovely Sandwell Valley RSPB nature reserve. You continue past Rushall Junction and onto Barr Beacon where there are splendid views of the surrounding countryside. Pleasant waterside sections along the Rushall and Wyrley and Essington Canals lead you to the finish point at Chasewater with its beautiful lake, and heritage Chasewater Railway.
Coventry Way		40 miles (64 km)	This walk circles the countryside around Coventry taking you through some fine Warwickshire countryside and a series of interesting villages. The walk starts at Meriden and heads towards Kenilworth with its impressive castle - described by architectural historian Anthony Emery as the 'finest surviving example of a semi-royal palace of the later middle ages, significant for its scale, form and quality of workmanship'. You then head towards Stoneleigh and the fascinating Grade I listed Stoneleigh Abbey. With 690 acres of parkland and overlooking the River Avon the abbey is well worth a visit. From Stoneleigh you continue to Wolston where you follow the River Avon to Bretford and then onto Brinklow. Here you join the Oxford Canal towards Bedworth. The final section leads back to Meriden passing Birchley Hays wood and Corley Moor on the way.
Grand Union Canal Walk		145 miles (234 km)	Follow the towpath of Britain's longest canal from London to Birmingham on this fabulous waterside walk. You start in West London in a lively and attractive area with canalside bars and restaurants, before heading towards the Chiltern Hills, on through rural Northamptonshire and Warwickshire and into the Birmingham suburbs. Highlights include Little Venice - the start of the walk in West London with trendy bars/cafes and historical old factories and warehouses Iron Trunk Aqueduct - a magnificent Georgian structure, which carries the Grand Union Canal over the River Ouse, connecting the villages of Cosgrove and Wolverton Hatton Locks - located near Warwick, this flight delivers 21 locks in less than two miles The Canal Museum - located at the lovely village of Stoke Bruerne the musuem houses stories, films, collections and displays all about our waterways.
Heart of England Way		101 miles (163 km)	Follow the Heart of England Way through the Midlands of England. The walk starts from Milford Common on Cannock Chase and heads through Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire before finisihing at Bourton on the Water in the Cotswolds. Major towns and cities on the route include Milford Cannock Chase Castle Ring Lichfield Drayton Bassett Shustoke Meriden Berkswell Balsall Common Rowington Henley-in-Arden Alcester Bidford-on-Avon Upper Quinton Mickleton Chipping Campden Longborough Bourton-on-the-Water Walk highlights include the delightful Cannock Chase Country Park at the start of the route, Kingsbury Water Park, the beautiful Arden Countryside and the Cotswolds AONB. The walk is well waymarked with a green and white disc.
Monarch's Way		615 miles (990 km)	This incredible 615-mile walk approximates the escape route taken by King Charles II in 1651 after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester. The Monarch's Way starts at Worcester then travels north to Boscobel and then south to Stratford upon Avon. It then continues south through the Cotswolds to Stow on the Wold before turning south west towards Bristol via Cirencester. The route then heads south through the Mendip Hills to Wells and then on through Somerset towards Yeovil and then south west to Charmouth. You then follow the Dorset coast before turning north again to Yeovil, before heading east across the Downs to Brighton and then onto the finish point at Shoreham-by-Sea. The walk also takes you through two World Heritage Sites, one National Park and six Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. For those interested in the history of the walk there is ample opportunity to learn and discover more with a series of museums and historical sites dotted throughout the route. The walk is waymarked with a picture of the ship The Surprise, the Prince of Wales crown and the Royal Oak tree at Boscobel House. The route has been split into two separate gpx files. The first includes the section from Worcester to Bridport via the Midlands and Somerset. The second runs from Sandford Orcas to the finish point at Shoreham-By-Sea. Monarch's Way GPS 1 (right click save as) Monarch's Way GPS 2 (right click save as)
North Worcestershire Path		31 miles (50 km)	This walk runs from Bewdley to Shirley, West Midlands through four beautiful country parks. You start in Bewdley on the River Severn and follow the river to Upper Arley, passing Trimpley Reservoir on the way. The next section takes you through Eymore Wood and then onto Drakelow before entering Kingsford Country Park wth its 200 acres of woodland and heathland. You continue east to Cookley, where you will cross the River Stour, and then onto Hagley and the 18th century Hagley Hall and gardens. From Hagley you soon come to the next country park at Clent Hills. This section offers marvelous views of the surrounding countryside. You then continue through Dales Wood to Wasely Hills and Lickley Hills country park with more panoramic views of Worcestershire to enjoy. The final section runs onto Shirley passing Upper Bittell Reservoir before finishing near Shirley railway station.
Oxford Canal Walk		77 miles (124 km)	Follow the Oxford Canal from Oxford to Coventry on this splendid waterside walk. You follow the towpath of the canal for the duration of the route meaning this is a fairly easy walk (providing you don't do at all at once!) You will pass through Thrupp, Lower Heyford, Banbury, Cropredy, Braunston Turn and Rugby before finishing at Hawkesbury Junction in Coventry. The peaceful south Midlands countryside, a series of pretty locks and several excellent canal side pubs make this walk a fantastic experience.
Solihull Way		19 miles (30 km)	Starting at Earlswood lakes head through Solihull to Castle Bromwich Hall. The path first takes you over the Stratford Upon Avon Canal and then along the Grand Union Canal. You then pass through Elmdon Park and Sheldon Country Park and past Birmingham International Airport before finishing at the Jacobean Mansion at Castle Bromwich Hall.
Worcester and Birmingham Canal		31 miles (50 km)	Follow the Worcester and Birmingham Canal from the vibrant centre of Birmingham, through the green hills of Worcestershire, to the cathedral city of Worcester. After leaving Birmingham you enter the countryside and will encounter a series of locks including Tarddebigge lock flight. With 30 locks in about 2 miles, Tarddebigge is the longest in the country, and also one of the steepest. This is a nice easy waterside walk, suitable for all walkers.

Photos provided by Panoramio. Photos are under the copyright of their owners.