PLAN YOUR OWN 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.

ESCORTED RIDES

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 dates in the newsletter s and on the website.

PLEASURE / FUN RIDES

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

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

COUNTRY PARKS & COMMONS INFORMATION

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.

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

FORESTRY COMMISSION

Wyre Forest near Bewdley, parking fee also required.