Best trails in Kingsford Forest Park, Staffordshire, England

NOTE: There is now a National Trust entrance charge to access the Rock Houses and Cafe. However, the rest of this route is accessible without visiting this attraction so you can adjust the start of the route to avoid fees should you wish. This walk is along Kinver Edge, a high heath and woodland escarpment running south from the large village of Kinver in southern Staffordshire. The walk provides truly spectacular views from the top of the escarpment. On clear days you will be able to see for around 30 miles across to the Malvern Hills. There is also chance to explore Holy Austin rock houses, dug into the sandstone rock and home to Britain's last cave dwellers through to the 1960s. The rock houses have been restored and are now managed by the National Trust. The walk includes a couple of both short-steep and longer-steadier climbs and descents. The surfaces are mainly good gravel paths but the climbs and descents through the woodland can be slippery in wet weather. A handrail is provided in the steepest section. There are no stiles and just a few kissing gates. Parts of the heath are used to graze cattle in the summer so take care with dogs. The site is owned and managed by the National Trust. Access to Kinver Edge is free and open dawn to dusk all year round. Holy Austin rock house itself has limited opening times and charges apply to go inside the recreated homes so check the National Trust website before you visit. The adjacent tea room also has limited opening hours. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours to complete the walk.Show more

This circular walk takes you from Kingsford Forest Park through lanes and byways to Coldridge Wood before returning to the start via the grounds of Bodenham Arboretum. It encompasses views of the local countryside and quiet lanes alongside and through fields. Several sections take you through woodland and past a couple of pools. Allow 2 to 3 hours to complete the walk. Some sections of the walk take place on tarmac country roads, others take place through fields. Stout footwear is essential. There is a steep ascent and later a steep descent. Both have wooden steps in place to assist. You will also need to negotiate several kissing gates and stiles. There are disabled toilets available at the start of the walk, and also free parking. There is a waymarked walk available from the car park that is suitable for wheelchairs - the Robin Trail. There are also picnic areas here.Show more

Kingsford Forest Park Green Trail takes you from the car park at Kingsford Forest Park, through deciduous and coniferous woodlands and across a small area of heath before returning you to the start point. The walk offers some interesting views of the local countryside and takes you through a variety of habitats. There are several benches placed around the site and toilets are available at the start/end of the walk. Kinver is the nearest village, about 2 miles away. The walk takes place in woodland over sandy soil, but parts of the route will be muddy during or after wet weather. There are also a couple of steep sections to navigate, parts of which will be a little difficult to traverse. There are no stiles or steps but there are a few kissing gates. Cattle are used for conservation grazing in one small section of heath so take care with dogs.The route is waymarked around the site - follow the green woodpecker symbol. It will take about an hour to complete.Show more