Hiking the Hills of Great Malvern

#backpackeressentials Sometimes, the best adventures are just a train ride away. For under £20 and with a lightweight backpack, I found myself in Great Malvern, a charming town nestled against the stunning Malvern Hills—a walker’s paradise in the English countryside. Arrival with Just the Essentials I packed light: one small backpack with water, snacks, a waterproof layer (because, well—England), a phone with an offline OS map, and my most trusted trail shoes. That’s it. No fancy gear, no overthinking. Just me and the hills. #backpackeressentials The train station drops you right into the heart of the town, and within minutes I was on the trail, climbing steep, stone paths shaded by beech trees. The switch from town to wild ridge is instant—and exhilarating. Views Worth Every Step The Malvern Hills rise sharply, offering almost alpine-style views over Herefordshire to the west and the Severn Valley to the east. With each hilltop—Worcester Beacon, North Hill, British Camp—the scenery shifts and stretches. It feels endless. And the best part? No entry fee, no queues, no crowds. Just skylarks, heather, and wind in your hair. At the summit of Worcester Beacon, the highest point in the range, I stopped to catch my breath (and my signal), unwrapped a homemade sandwich, and soaked in the silence. From here, the land falls away in all directions like a green sea.