Where To Ride

Look on the definitive map at www.worcestershire.gov.uk/countryside or ask your town / parish clerk. 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 mileage 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. For more information look on www.tollrides-org.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 TROT route)

5 Kingsford County Park - 01562 710025 Worcestershire County Council (forestry commission) Keep to tracks.

6 Lickey 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. The WBRA run the scheme - please see our page on the Wyre Forest Permit Scheme