Area: Birmingham and Around

'If you fancy getting away from it all, Barr Beacon might be just the nature reserve for you. Its only 3 miles from Walsall town centre, and it's one of the highest points in the West Midlands. It offers spectacular panoramic views, and from the top you can see surrounding landmarks including the Wrekin, Cannock Chase, Lichfield Cathedral, Birmingham City Centre, and the Lickey Hills. It's the high-point of the Beacon Way and a favourite walking spot for locals ...'

Walsall Council

'This green route is from Sandwell at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, and goes via the outskirts of Birmingham through the countryside of Walsall and into Staffordshire. The walk takes in the Forest of Mercia, lakes, nature reserves, woods, and the banks of canals. The northern end links with the Heart of England Way on Gentleshaw Common. Only the section from Sandwell to Chasewater is shown on OS maps.'

The Long Distance Walkers Association

Beacon Way [GPS Cycle & Walking Routes]

'The Birmingham and Fazeley Canal is a canal of the Birmingham Canal Navigations in the West Midlands of England. Its purpose was to provide a link between the Coventry Canal and Birmingham and thereby connect Birmingham to London via the Oxford Canal.'

Canal Routes

Birmingham and Fazeley Canal [Wikipedia]

Shrubbery  'This delightful area of the Gardens is characterised by beautiful walks, decorative foliage and enchanting water features.'

Includes information about the major Parks within the City.

'Runs along the River Rea from Stirchley to Edgbaston cricket ground. An area with a diverse industrial history (mainly forges and mills in the 16th Century), it is now one of city's five premier parks and has been awarded Green Flag status. There are walkways and cycle routes along side the River Rea aimed at catering for wildlife enthusiasts, those seeking exercise and people looking for a good day out.'

Birmingham Open Spaces Forum

Member of the Ramblers - Warwickshire Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Warwickshire Area Grouping

'Explore Wolverhampton's past with 2 different walking trails that guide you around city centre landmarks and the 21 Lock canal network.'

'A walk through Cuckoo's Nook and the Dingle nature reserve will take you through two completely different habitats, created by two different types of soil. The same walk will also transport you across 60 million years of geological time. That's because the reserve lies over a geological fault line, where on one side, coal measures lie near the surface, and on the other, limestone lies near the surface. This has a direct effect on the plant life that you'll find above the soil.'

Webb Family Walks

'Dudley & South Staffordshire CAMRA and Stourbridge & Halesowen CAMRA in conjunction with Dudley Borough Council Leisure and Tourism Development Department have produced a Real Ale Trail. The Black country is a little corner of beer heaven and this guide highlights just some of the many great pubs that we have in Dudley Borough.'

Stourbridge and Halesowen CAMRA Branch

Three towpath walks which formerly were briefly described on the Canal & River Trust Website with links through to what is now the AllTrails Site, but now having relevant descriptions only on the latter Site:

* Dudley No 1 Canal to Fens Pool (6 miles)

* Along Dudley No. 2 Canal from Bumble Hole to Coombswood Bridge (6 miles)

* A walk along the Dudley Canal from Bumble Hole to Dudley Tunnel (7 miles)

AllTrails

'There are a number of countryside walks in Dudley. These follow public rights of way, canal towpaths or other permissive routes through nature reserves and the like. Programmes of guided walks and other events are arranged throughout the year, often focussing on the nature reserves and countryside walk routes.'

Categories of Walks: [1] Extra Long  'An all day walk of 12 miles plus, with three breaks. Seasoned walkers at a quicker pace. Could include high peaks '- - - : [2]  Long  'An all day walk of 10 - 12 miles, more strenuous, with three breaks possibly including a pub. It is recommended that new walkers attempt a short or a medium first' - - - : [3] Medium  'Walks of 7-9 miles possibly undulating terrain. At least two breaks possibly with a pub' - - - : [4] Short  'Half day walk of 4-6 miles, these are easy going and make an ideal introduction to rambling'

'Several leaflets can be downloaded ... which give a brief history and guide to some of the important buildings and places within towns in the Dudley Borough, including suggested routes for walks.'

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

'Two parks in one, Malvern and Brueton Parks, are perfectly located in the town centre. With Green Flag Park status, the space offers visitors and locals an easily accessible space to relax and play.'

Solihull Metropolitan District Council

Parkridge Centre, Brueton Park, Solihull [Warwickshire Wildlife Trust]

'Merrions Wood is a wonderful oak and beech woodland 3 miles from Walsall town centre. Most people, when they visit for the first time, are amazed that this secret woodland is there, tucked away with its beautiful but unassuming entrance next to the historic Merrions Wood Lodge ...  A walk up the main path (which is actually part of the Beacon Way national trail) will amaze you at all times of the year, as the canopy of leaves and branches above form a natural cathedral.'

The Friends of Merrions Wood

'There are many informal walks through the country park and opportunities to view or photograph a wide variety of wildlife, in their natural habitats. Northycote Farm itself is a Tudor farmhouse and is steeped in history. The farmhouse itself is not always open to the public, but throughout the year, it is opened to the public for tours and other events.'

Wolverhampton City Council

Northycote Farm to Moseley Old Hall Walk [National Trust]

'Lady Dudley planted Saltwells Wood in the eighteenth century to hide the scars of coal mining. The descendants of the Oak and Beech still survive and are home to many species of woodland bird, such as Treecreeper, Jay and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Wild Garlic and Anemones are found in the wood together with carpets of Bluebells.'

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

'Local Nature Reserves are for both people and wildlife. They are special places for wildlife and give people the chance to get close to nature, and increase their enjoyment and understanding of the natural world.'

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Member of the Ramblers - Staffordshire Area Grouping

'Finding somewhere for a quiet walk is easy in Sandwell Valley Country Park whether you are a keen rambler or just want to go for a walk with the dog or family. There are 660 acres to walk round and you can go for a quiet stroll in pleasant surroundings through woods, farmland or by pools and streams.'

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

'This nature, art and history trail was developed by Birmingham City Council and the Friends of Selly Oak Park in partnership with children from St Mary's School, and the Lapal Canal Trust who also made a donation.'

Friends of Selly Oak Park

Route 15: 'From NIA to Galton Valley, Sandwell Valley, returning via River Tame Way, Handsworth Park, and Winson Green Loop Canal ... You will need a copy of the Birmingham Cycling and Walking Map.'

ALERT The Birmingham Greenways Map originally referenced here could no longer be found online,  so I have changed the Link.

'There are over 150 miles of public rights of way in the Borough. With such an extensive network, enjoying the wonderful wildlife and getting out into the fresh air could not be easier. To help you get the best from your walks, we have a number of suggested walks that you may like to try ... '

Member of the Ramblers - Warwickshire Area Grouping

'From south to north down the eastern side of the Birmingham conurbation the route uses farmland, open spaces and parks as much as possible and the longest variation of this route by-passes the city centre. (Less rural alternatives reduce the total distance to a minimum of 17 miles.)'

The Long Distance Walkers Association

Solihull Way [GPS Cycle & Walking Routes]

Member of the Ramblers - Warwickshire Area Grouping

'Located on the western edge of the West Midlands of England,  Stourbridge (HF) Rambling Club is a long established club. It arranges walks for its members on several days each week. The walks range from short, easy walks to longer more challenging ones. We also arrange walking short breaks twice a year.'

Member of the Ramblers - Staffordshire Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Warwickshire Area Grouping

'Sutton Park is one of the largest urban parks in Europe, being some 2,200 acres (900 hectares) in area.[1] Already a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), it gained National Nature Reserve (NNR) status in March 1997. This is a remarkable achievement as the park is situated just 7 miles (11 km) from the centre of Birmingham, the UK's second largest city. Seldom is such a large expanse of varied "rural" habitat found so close to the heart of a major city. Standing in the middle of Sutton Park, it is hard for a visitor to believe that the Park is surrounded on all sides by suburban sprawl.'

Sutton Coldfield Natural History Society

Sutton Park [Birmingham City Council]

'The Tame Valley Canal is a secret, secluded world, largely hidden from its built-up surroundings by high embankments and deep cuttings. The towpaths are open to walkers, cyclists and anglers, making it the perfect urban escape.'

Canal & River Trust

Tame Valley Canal & Rushall Canal [Canal Routes]

'100 miles of family friendly cycling and walking ... Birmingham's geography and industrial legacy has bestowed upon it a network of small rivers, canals, and Victorian parks which provide one of the best off road Urban Greenway networks in the U.K. ... The Birmingham Cycling and Walking Map is available in both paper and interactive form.'

The Cycling Department at Birmingham City Council

Birimingham Greenways [Heron Maps]

'Discover the wealth of styles, subjects and shapes of the University's sculpture collection ... '

University of Birmingham

'Explore a wealth of history while walking and cycling around Sandwell. Discover its historic canals and see some fascinating reminders of the area's industrial past.'

Canal & River Trust

Member of the Ramblers - Staffordshire Area Grouping

'Spend the day walking and cycling around Walsall and you will be surprised by what you discover. There is something for everyone - from art galleries to parks, gardens and lakes.'

Canal & River Trust

Walsall Canal

'Winterbourne is one of the best surviving examples of an Edwardian Arts and Crafts suburban villa garden in Birmingham. The garden was lovingly created by the homeowners, Margaret and John Nettlefold, using the books of Gertrude Jekyll as guides and inspiration ... The garden offers something for all ages, including activity trails for families and a children’s garden.'

'Series of historical walks which feature many aspects of Wolverhampton's past. A photograph of each point of interest is included, along with a map giving its location and a brief description.'

Wolverhampton History & Heritage Website

'Click on an image ... to see one of our City Trails with old photos pinned to an interactive map and take a trip down memory lane! Once the map opens, click and drag with your mouse to move around the map, double click on the map to zoom in.'

Black Country History

Member of the Ramblers - Staffordshire Area Grouping

A great way to discover Wolverhampton [1] Not too many stiles and steep hills - - - : [2] Cafes and pubs along the way - - - : [3] Easy access by bus - - - : [4] Fine views of the city centre

The Walking Englishman

'Explore Wolverhampton's past with 2 different walking trails that guide you around city centre landmarks and the 21 Lock canal network ... Enjoy the heritage of the city and improve your health at the same time!'

Wolverhampton City Council

'After leaving Birmingham you enter the countryside and will encounter a series of locks including Tarddebigge lock flight. With 30 locks in about 2 miles, Tarddebigge is the longest in the country, and also one of the steepest.'

GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

'We are a friendly local independent walking club, founded in 1947 ... We have 120 members coming mostly from within a ten mile radius of the city. The age range of our club is mainly 50+ but we do have some younger members. '