The Badger and Fox Trails at Waseley Hills Country Park

The Badger Trail is about half a mile long and takes you round sloping grassland and Hawthorn hedges, so typical of this area. Notice the uneven twisted trees, exposed to winds high on the hill. As you drop down into the valley the double hedgeline is a sign of an ancient green lane. This would have been a busy route into the town hundreds of years ago. Huge panoramic views from the top of the hill are best admired from near the toposcope. You can make out local landmarks like the university clock tower, Dudley, the Lickey Hills and even the Malverns and Cotswolds on a clear day.

At three miles the Fox Trail takes you right round Waseley Hills. Over the grassy hills and through the pleasant woodland of Segbourne Coppice. Made up of mainly Oak and Sycamore trees, May is the best time to visit for the wonderful carpet of Bluebells here. Passing two large ponds take time to spot the range of wildlife buzzing around this area.  Frogs and toads lay their eggs in these ponds, so tiny little froglets and toadlets can be seen all over the ground in the summer. Colourful dragonflies flit silently over the pools.  Even in winter if you sit quietly birds may well come to drink or bathe in the water.

No walk round here would be complete without allowing time to admire the superb views from the top of the hill. As you wander on delight in the larch trees as they turn golden in autumn, one of very few conifers not to be evergreen. This is also a good spot for Bluebells in the spring. At 'the narrows' wander amongst Cherry trees with delicious smelling white blossom. Eventually the trail takes you back across the meadows to the Visitor Centre where you can treat yourself to a well-earned cup of tea or ice cream.

The trails start at the main Visitor Centre, where there are leaflets available to help you on your way. Both routes have gentle hills, with the longer route having more strenuous hills. There are no stiles on either route, and with plenty of benches along the route to watch the world go by, it's a lovely way to explore the countryside in comfort.

Route Information:

The trails start / finish at Waseley Hills Country Park’s north car park, Gannow Green Lane, Rubery.  Grid reference: 972 782.

Fox and Badger Trail leaflets available from the café at Waseley Hills Country Park priced 25p each

Find out more about Waseley Hills Country Park

• Countryside Service
• Explore the Countryside
• Off-site Waymarked Circular Walks
• On-site Waymarked Circular Walks
• Waymarked Walking Trails
• Other Published Walks and Rides
• Countryside Sites
• Access Land
• Public Rights of Way
• Countryside Code
• OS Maps
• Visit Planning Information