Suckley Hills on the Worcestershire Way loop from Knightwick

Hiking trails & Routes

Suckley Hills on the Worcestershire Way loop from Knightwick

Moderate

3.5

(8)

hikers

Suckley Hills on the Worcestershire Way loop from Knightwick

04:25

16.0km

270m

Hiking

Embark on a moderate hike through the Suckley Hills on the Worcestershire Way loop from Knightwick, covering 9.9 miles (16.0 km) with an elevation gain of 901 feet (275 metres). This rewarding route typically takes around 4 hours and 24 minutes to complete, leading you through varied terrain including verdant woodlands, gently rolling hills, farmlands, and orchards. You will enjoy picturesque views across the Teme Valley and towards the distant Malvern Hills, experiencing a mix of footpaths and some steeper sections that can be slippery after rain.

Starting from the small and pretty village of Knightwick, you can easily access the trailhead. Consider hiking in spring or summer to witness the vibrant orchards and woodlands filled with bluebells and other flora, or visit in winter for expansive views when the trees are bare. After your hike, you might enjoy refreshments at The Talbot, a 15th-century coaching inn located conveniently in Knightwick.

This loop forms a popular section of the longer Worcestershire Way, a 31-mile (50 km) long-distance footpath. A key highlight is Blackhouse Wood Nature Reserve, an ancient semi-natural woodland known for rare large-leaved lime trees and diverse plant species like wood vetch and wild thyme. The Suckley Hills are nestled between the Abberley Hills and the Malvern Hills, offering a delightful and quiet part of Worcestershire to explore within the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Malvern Hills AONB

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

59 m

The Talbot, Knightwick

Highlight • Settlement

Knightwick is a small and pretty village nestled below Ankerdine Hill and within a meander of the River Teme. It is a superb base for exploring this beautiful part of the country, with the Abberley Hills ridge and the Malverns on your doorstep and within easy driving distance of the Wye Valley AONB, the Shropshire Hills AONB, and the Cotswolds AONB.

In terms of accommodation, the Talbot is a 15th-century coaching inn that serves excellent food and has rooms, perfect after a long hike.

Tip by

4.35 km

Blackhouse Wood Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural

Cloaked across part of the Suckley Hills, Blackhouse Wood Nature Reserve is a rich and ancient semi-natural woodland. The green heart-shaped leaves of the lime tree are a welcome sight; the large-leaved lime is among the rarest of Britain's native lime trees.

Wood vetch, nettle-leaved bellflower, rock rose, yellow wort, wild thyme and tutsan all benefit from the ridge's geology. The reserve is also a stronghold for moths, with around 500 species recorded here.

Tip by

5.00 km

Suckley Hills

Highlight • Viewpoint

Between the Abberley Hills to the north and the Malvern Hills to the south are the gently rolling, wooded Suckley Hills, which rise above the village of the same name. It's a beautiful place for a stroll, particularly in spring and summer when the surrounding orchards and woodland are full of colour and life. Dandelions bob on the breeze, bluebells carpet the woodland and bees buzz from flower to flower.

Tip by

16.0 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types