Route Developer: EJD
Route Checker: TS
Starting from The Hub at Hazelwell, Vicarage Road.
[1] Come out of The Hub and turn right, onto Vicarage Road. Cross Pineapple Road and turn right. Then turn immediately left onto Hazelwell Fordrough. Notice the large Hazelwell Public House on your right. Continue down Hazelwell Fordrough, with the beautiful views of green Birmingham. Cross Hazelwell Crescent and Milhaven Avenue. At the bottom of Hazelwell Fordrough, cross the road to walk through the footpath on the right.
[2] When the path forks, continue on the main path to the left. At the end of the footpath turn right to walk alongside the River Rea. The River Rea is known as the river that powered Birmingham industry: powering the watermills.
[3] Shortly you will reach a pedestrian bridge on your left, which walkers may want to stop at to observe the pretty view up and down the River Rea.
Child-friendly feature: Stop to play the childhood game of Pooh Sticks by dropping sticks or twigs off of the left-hand side of the bridge and moving to the right-hand side of the bridge to see which stick races down the current first. It is advisable to pick different shaped sticks so it is possible to tell which stick is whose! Responsibility of the children’s safety must remain with the parent, especially younger children who would need to be held to see over the bridge.
[4] Continue along the footpath, with the River Rea on your left, passing the Hazelwell Allotments and Hazelwell Park on your right.
Child-friendly feature: Stop to play on the grass area or in the children’s play area.
[5] At the end of the footpath you will reach Cartland Road. Turn left and cross at the pedestrian crossing. Continue along the footpath ahead to continue to walk alongside the River Rea. Follow the path for quite a time. You will pass Dad’s Lane Recreation ground on your right and a bridge towards Ten Acres on your left, but keep ahead.
[6] At the end of the footpath you will reach Moor Green Lane. Turn right, after which almost immediately right again to walk up Dad’s Lane. Cross Ashbrook Road and Derwent Road.Turn right onto Pineapple Road. Continue along Pineapple Road, crossing several roads; Greenoak Crescent, Pineapple Grove twice (notice the large church), Greenoak Crescent again and Avebury Road. Continue along Pineapple Road. Hazard of cars parked on the wide paths along Pineapple Road! Be aware of the gradient on Pineapple Road, which is gentle but continuous.
[7] When you reach Cartland Road turn right to cross the pedestrian crossing. Turn left and cross Pineapple Road at the narrow pedestrian island. Continue up Cartland Road. Turn right onto Priory Road and continue along, crossing Bloomsbury Grove. When you reach Vicarage Road turn right and you will shortly reach The Hub on your right.