With most trees still bare of leaves, birds, such as robins, are much easier to spot than they will be later in the year.

Much of the native woodland which once covered Abberley Hill has been replaced by conifer plantations, and there are lots of sycamores on the hill too. Sycamore is native to Central Europe and is generally believed to have been introduced to Britain c1500, although a carving of a sycamore in Oxford's Christchurch Cathedral dates from 1282. Perhaps a few specimens had already been introduced, or maybe the woodcarver had travelled abroad. Many conservationists dislike sycamore because it is invasive and it supports less wildlife than natives such as oak or ash. But others admit that it is a handsome tree and does support more wildlife than alien conifers.

Fortunately, a strip of ancient native woodland survives on the steep north-west slopes of Abberley Hill. This comprises a variety of species, including a few vintage oaks and large numbers of yew trees, several of which stand beside the ridge-top path. Yew is a relatively uncommon tree so it's good to see so many here, making the most of the favourable conditions provided by the well-drained alkaline soil.

Many birds are nesting early this year and have already been very active for several weeks. With most trees still bare of leaves, birds, such as robins, are easier to spot than they will be later in the year and you should see plenty of typical woodland, hedgerow and garden species on this walk.

Mammals are generally more elusive than birds but grey squirrels are ubiquitous and currently very active. Like the sycamore, the grey squirrel is an alien, though it comes not from Europe but from North America. It was introduced as recently as 1876 but has already colonised most of the country, displacing the native red squirrel in most areas. Other mammals to look out for include a herd of red deer near Abberley Clocktower. These aren't wild deer, they're farmed, but the stags, with their impressive antlers, still look magnificent.

Look out for early flowers too - the first primroses and violets are already in bloom. Dog's mercury is another early-flowering species, and grows abundantly on parts of Abberley Hill.

FACTFILE

Start: Hundred House Hotel, Great Witley; grid ref SO752662.

Length: 5 miles/8.8km.

First Primroses and Violets are already out in bloom

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landranger 138.

Terrain: Woodland and pasture; moderately hilly, with a few steep sections.

Footpaths: There are no major problems but waymarking is poor in places, especially on Abberley Hill where further confusion may be caused by the fact that the paths on the ground don't always correspond with those marked on OS maps. However, the route described here is easily followed.

Stiles: 15.

Parking: Great Witley.

Buses: Yarrantons'/DRM Tenbury service 758, to the Hundred House, Mon-Sat; Traveline 0870 608 2608 or www.worcestershire.gov.uk/bustimetables Refreshments: Hundred House Hotel at Great Witley, Manor Arms at Abberley, shop at Great Witley.

PLEASE NOTE

This walk has been carefully checked and the details are believed to be accurate at the time of publication. No responsibility is accepted by either the author or publisher for errors or omissions, or for any loss, accident or injury, however caused.

DIRECTIONS

1 Take the footpath which leaves the road just to the left of the Hundred House, signed to Abberley. Enter an arable field and take the right-hand branch when the path forks. Continue uphill through sheep pasture and then enter the woodland which clothes much of Abberley Hill. Climb quite steeply to reach a junction and then turn right. The path briefly descends but soon starts to climb again, though much more gently now.

2 Turn right at the top of the hill, joining the Worcestershire Way. Stay on the Worcestershire Way at all junctions, until you arrive at two large yew trees where the Worcestershire Way turns right. Go straight on instead, along an unsigned path which keeps close to the top of the ridge. Keep straight on at two more junctions, with a barbed-wire fence and a quarry on your right after the second junction. Eventually the path descends left, steeply in places, to meet a lane at Shavers End.

3 Turn right then take a footpath on the left after a few metres. Walk across two fields then proceed to a junction. Go straight on along a track which soon swings left towards Wordley Farm. Follow the yellow arrows which direct you to the right, skirting the farm buildings and entering a field. Bear left from a fence corner, across the field to a stile at the other side. The path then goes to the right, through young woodland and then across a field to Wordley Dingle.

4 Descend steeply to cross a brook at a footbridge then turn right. The path is clear at first but then becomes indistinct and is partially blocked by fallen trees - these are easily avoided and waymarking is provided by the familiar yellow sticky tape which indicates that a rights of way officer has at least surveyed the path. It soon improves and you come to a junction with a bridleway. Turn left, soon entering a field. Walk across, bearing very slightly right to meet a hedge corner. Follow the hedge towards Netherton House. Go through a white gate and straight on along a lane to Abberley.

5 Turn left by the Manor Arms and join a footpath signed to Wynniatts Way.

Turn left just before the entrance to The Orchards then follow the path uphill through fields and woods to Wynniatts Way. Turn right, soon finding yourself back on the Worcestershire Way. Cross the A443 and continue opposite. Go straight on at a junction near Abberley School but turn left after a further 100m at a second junction, by three yellow-painted concrete posts. Walk past the school buildings on a track which soon enters woodland. Turn left at a T-junction by a sign for Garden Cottage. The track then meanders downhill through woodland to reach a pool where you turn right. Walk to the A443, cross over and turn right to the Hundred House.

10:32am Monday 29th January 2007

Elegant Abberley Clocktower.

Ramble across the beautiful Abberley countryside.

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