Geopark Way trek 2009

Burton Conservation Volunteers

Geopark Way Trek 2009 May 22nd to 31st

	Our major walk this year was Britain's newest long-distance path, The Geopark Way – a 109-mile trail which runs from Bridgnorth in Shropshire to Gloucester Cathedral, taking us through the Severn Valley Country Park and over the Malverns and the Worcestershire Beacon. A rich variety of terrain and landscapes, excellent weather, and good cider along the way! The emphasis of the walk is supposed to be on its geological features, but due to our tight schedule (having to complete the route in 9 days instead of the recommended 17 days) and tough challenging sections (a missing footbridge, dense areas of nettles, and not least struggling with the buggy up huge flights of steps…) some of the features did rather pass us by, although we did see some impressive fossils along the way which we wouldn't have discovered without the excellent guidebook. Below is a selection of pictures from the trek. There are also lots more photos, plus a day-by-day report of the walk, on Shaun's website. More background information on the Geopark Way is available on the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust website. There's also a blog of the route on the BBC site, but they seemed to avoid the "missing footbridge" section near Bewdley – maybe they knew something we didn't.

The Halfway House campsite at Bridgnorth		Steve and Martin, applying Factor 75	The leaning castle of Bridgnorth – start of the route

Alongside the River Severn		A St Bernard's Lily, which kept the botanists happy	Severn Valley Country Park: revisiting a BCV project from three years ago

Highley Station: boarding the Severn Valley train back to Bridgnorth		Crossing a field	The impressive Redstone Rock hermitage caves

Negotiating the buggy up a flight of steps		Elizabeth – the queen of the swingers	Cream tea and/or a pint at Martley

The legendary Talbot at Knightwick		Highest point of the walk: The Worcestershire Beacon on the Malvern ridge	Our group seems to have gained a member

Limestone fossils		The never-ending hill up to the obelisk	Overgrown path: we need Vic the Stick!

Campsite breakfast at Greenway Farm		View back to the Malvern Hills	Top of May Hill

Group picture on May Hill		Shaun has some new friends	Gloucester Cathedral: the end of the walk

Celebratory pints for the ladies		Celebratory custard for Martin – cheers!	Poor Victor looks exhausted