| 1. Starts by taking the Rea Valley Cycle Route south, and follows this route until the canal junction, where the cycle route goes into Kings Norton playing fields. Continue on the towpath on the Worcester and Birmingham canal until it meets a tunnel, and the path raises up to street level, turn left upon leaving the towpath, then left onto Shannon Road, then right onto Primrose Hill, which continues over the Longsdales Road, before becoming Icknield Street. Follow Icknield Street south (involves a quick left then right on a main road, Clewshaw Lane), going past the Peacock Pub.
When you reach the next crossroads, (at the Coach and Horses pub), turn right, and follow the Radford Road into Alvechurch, crossing the square onto Bear Hill. At the top of Bear Hill you will cross the Railway, (past Alvechurch station) and the Weighbridge is on the left.
On the way back cross back over the railway bridge, and take a left down Latimer Road, a Left onto Snake Lane at the end, and a left onto Callow Hill Road. Turn Right onto Crown Meadow, and take the path at the end of this road onto the Birmingham Road, where you turn left. Cross under the M42 and then turn right onto the Old Birmingham Road at the roundabout.
Turn Right onto Pestilance Lane, and then through a gate to the left onto Ash Lane, which is made of shingle: you will have to dismount for a few metres before crossing over the A441. Passing the Rugby club, turn right onto Stonehouse Lane, left at the T-Junction onto Watery Lane, and then left onto Lea End Lane. Here you are faced with a short but steep hill up to the Peacock Public House, from where you follow the same route back to Birmingham |