A walk with Jesus in the Wilderness
This figure of 8 walk through beautiful West Worcestershire, travels to Devil’s Leap, touches on the Worcestershire Way and includes a number of view points, reflecting the high places of Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness.
For preparation it is suggested you read Luke chapter 4, verses 1-12. The walk has 3 points reflecting the devil’s temptations and Jesus’ response.
Walk Length- approximately 4 miles. Grade- easy
Ordnance Survey Map: Explorer 204.
Start and Finish point, Easinghope Lane, Haynes Green, Doddenham. At the start, south of Hawksnest Farm is a rough lay by for up to 4 cars.
Walk east along Easinghope Lane for about ½ mile, bearing left at the road junction, until you come to a stream with 2 tracks forking left off the road. The first track is for Leap cottage and on your left beyond and above the stream is Devil’s Leap. Here we are reminded of the devil’s invitation to Jesus to leap off the highest point of the Temple and Jesus response with Scripture. The owner of the cottage does not want us to be tempted as the track is private!
Head up the 2nd track towards Upper Gurnox Farm, for approximately ½ a mile. Go past the farm and shortly afterwards the track is crossed by the Worcestershire Way.
Head westwards along the Way. As you walk across the field, the view southwards unfolds and we are reminded of the 2nd temptation and the devil’s offering of the kingdoms of the world to Jesus.“Worship the Lord your God”, Jesus responds; this is a wonderful place to worship the Lord our God too.
Continue across the field until you come to the lane, and head southwards past Hawksnest Farm. Follow the Worcestershire Way signs off the road and eastwards towards Nipple Coppice. There is a stunning, unmissable view towards the Malverns here. Follow the Way signs through the Coppice and on to Ankerdine Hill. Here, at the Picnic site, we recall the moment where Jesus is tempted to turn the stones to bread and are reminded that we do not live by bread alone.
From Ankerdine Hill retrace you steps briefly and turn right along a path, down the side of the bungalow. After ¼ mile turn left and then right; there is a junction of paths here, so be careful; you want to head northwards back up to Nipple Coppice and then eastwards along the Worcestershire Way, eventually returning to the start of the walk.
