Where To Ride
BRIDLEPATHS & BYWAYS
Look on the definitive map at, www.worcestershire.gov.uk/countryside or ask your town/parish clerk, or more easily used are the OS Landranger/Explorer map series. These give routes paths of byways & bridleways.
These take place at various times of the year, some at weekends and some on week nights in the summer months. These escorted rides are an excellent way of discovering a new area and route without the hassle of maps and getting lost. keep a look out for advertisments in local papers, tack/feed shops, clubs and events.
Approved rides over private farmland, these are unique rides with parking provided. They range in milage from 3 miles to 12 miles. All these rides are looked after by an appointed local agent who is on hand to offer directions and advise. TROT is a membership scheme and can be joined for a annual fee. TROT now have rides dotted all over the UK.
Organised by riding clubs and groups, these are mainly run in the Spring & Autumn, they are normally between 12 & 15 miles long on a set route. You can turn up between specified times and ride at your leisure. There is normally a fee to pay which goes to the club/group holding the event. Most rides award rosettes for completing the ride. Look out for these rides in newspapers, feed/tack shops, internet sites Etc.
UK Chasers have their routes all over the UK. Mainly at established XC courses with a roads & tracks section They are very popular and well designed. There is an annual fee to join UK Chasers. For more information look on www.ukchasers.com
1 Arrow Valley Country Park - 01527 64252 ext 3022 (Redditch Borough Council)
2 Bredon Hill crossed bridlepaths NO "right to roam" for horses though, stay on marked routes.
3 Clent Hills - 01562 710825 owned by the National Trust. Keep to waymarked routes.
4 Leap Gate Old Railway Line nr Hartlebury Common - 01905 766493 Worcestershire County Council (links to Hartlebury toll route)
5 Kingsford County Park - 01562 710025 Worcestershire County Council (forectry commission) Keep to tracks.
6 Licky Hills Country Park - 0121 447 7106 Birmingham City Council. Keep to tracks, very busy with walkers and public.
7 Malvern Hills, The Old Hills, Callow End & Castlemorton Common - 01684 892002 Malvern Hills Conservation. Miles of tracks.
8 Devils Spitful Nr Kidderminster Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.
9 Rifle Range Nr Stourport - 01562 732972 Wyre Forest District Council
Wyre Forest near Bewdley (permit required) parking fee also required. Either a 3 or 6 month permit or purchase a 'day licence' from the visitors centre for £2.50 Open at 10.00am Lorry/trailer parking charge £2.00 (check before hand for fee changes) tel: 01299 266302
