Descriptions of Walks
We have divided the whole walking area into four sectors and attempted to ensure that the walks on every day cover a variety of these. This should enable you to plan your walks in different areas in order to avoid walking the same routes.To see or download a map of walking sectors, scroll down to the bottom of this page.
Diagrams showing the elevation profiles along most walks (usually two walks per diagram) are available by clicking the [PROFILE] link after the "General Description". This will open a page in a new window. Close the window to return to this page.
Thursday 7th June 2012: Walk no 1
Walk Title: The Long Mynd Loop
Leaders: Cath Landles and Mike Hall
Distance: 6.4 miles
Sector: 2
Duration: Half Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue: Silvester Horne Institute
General Description
The Long Mynd sits in the heart of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is one of Shropshire's most famous landmarks. This heathy wilderness enjoys wonderful views, nationally significant geology, fascinating archaeology and a wealth of wildlife. Some of the finest views of the Shropshire Hills are guaranteed on this circular walk. After leaving the town, our route takes us along the Carding Mill Valley, a dramatic steep sided valley and gateway to The Long Mynd. Our first climb takes us through Light Spout Hollow to the beautiful Light Spout Waterfall, one of the Mynd's most famous landmarks This waterfall is dramatic at times of high flow. It's onwards and upwards again until we reach the Long Mynd plateau. We then stride out along the ancient trackway of the Port Way towards Duckley Nap and then turn for home via the eastern edge of Haddon Hill, taking in the magnificent views of the Shropshire Hills, Shropshire Plain and beyond. Our last leg takes us over Church Stretton Golf Course, the oldest 18-hole golf course in Shropshire and one of the highest courses in the United Kingdom, and back to Church Stretton for a well-earned cup of tea. Cath Landles, AONB officer, will give you an insight into the Long Mynd and why the Shropshire Hills was designated an AONB back in 1958 and what the AONB team, and the National Trust, are doing to care for this nationally important landscape. [PROFILE]
Thursday 7th June 2012: Walk no 2
Walk Title: The Minton Lollipop
Leaders: Lesley and Eric Brown
Distance: 9.2 miles
Sectors: 1 & 3
Duration: Full Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue: Silvester Horne Institute
Transport Out
Lunch: Picnic
General Description
We start our walk in the small village of Minton, nestling under the south-eastern end of the Long Mynd. There are two lovely valleys from here leading up on to the Long Mynd. Which one we take will depend on the conditions on the day. Once on the top, we shall take a well earned rest while we watch the fantastic sight of gliders taking off and landing at the nearby Gliding Club. The Club celebrated their 75th anniversary two years ago and it's easy to see why they established the Club here. With a bit of luck, the paragliders will also be in the air, producing a magnificently colourful sight. When we are ready, we will make our way back to Minton, staying on top as long as possible. This means a short, but steep final descent. Our way back to Church Stretton takes us to Marshbrook and around the back of Ragleth Hill, where we shall have a gentle stroll taking in the magnificent views towards the Clee Hills. [PROFILE]
Thursday 7th June 2012: Walk no 3
Walk Title: To the Pole and Back
Leaders: Guy Sjörgen and Barbara Halsey
Distance: 8 miles
Sector: 1
Duration: Full Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue: Silvester Horne Institute
Lunch: Picnic
General Description
Rest assured, this walk does not entail walking to either the North or the South Pole as the title suggests! Rather, it's a varied, scenic and not too strenuous ascent of the Long Mynd to its highest point, Pole Bank. We start by walking through the beeches of Rectory Wood before following a path (steep initially) to Little Stretton. From the village we then gradually ascend the Long Mynd by following the line of the stream that flows through Ashes Hollow, eventually emerging by the spring at Boiling Well. It's then but a short dash to Pole Bank, from which there is a splendid view of four neighbouring counties. Leaving Pole Bank we follow the ancient Portway that leads us eventually to Lightspout Hollow. Once in this narrow valley, it's downhill all the way to Carding Mill Valley...and back to the myriad welcoming teashops of Church Stretton for a well-earned cuppa. [PROFILE]
Thursday 7th June 2012: Walk no 4
Walk Title: In the Footsteps of the Romans
Leaders: Trevor Halsey and Barbara Vickery
Distance: 10.4 miles
Sectors: 2 & 4
Duration: Full Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue: Silvester Horne Institute
Lunch: Picnic
General Description
This is a fairly strenuous morning walk over two of the highest of the Stretton Hills followed by an undulating afternoon on the lower slopes of the Long Mynd and is suitable for fit walkers who like the challenge of the hills. We leave Church Stretton and climb gently into Hazler Wood before the first steep ascent up to the Gaerstone, a volcanic outcrop on the slopes of Hope Bowdler Hill. Pausing for breath, we stop to admire the view east to Wenlock Edge and the Clee Hills. Now follows an exhilarating ridge walk over the two summits of Hope Bowdler Hill with fine views of our next hill, Caer Caradoc, but before climbing it we have to cross the valley in between by descending steeply to Cwms Lane. Then our second long climb to the top of Caer Caradoc where we will be standing in an iron age hill fort which some say was the site of the last stand by Caractacus against the Roman legions in AD43. We then descend the steep north end of the hill to find a sheltered spot on the lower slopes for a well-earned picnic lunch, where we can look down on the old Roman road of Watling Street. It's now time to cross the A49 into the village of All Stretton and skirt the lower slopes of Castle Hill before entering the delightful hidden valley of Gogbatch. A twisty climb takes us up onto Plush Hill from where you have a superb view of all the Stretton Hills, from the Lawley in the north to Ragleth Hill in the south, as well as the more distant Wrekin. We now drop down to Batch Valley and continue through Cwmdale before an undulating path takes us around the third highest golf course in England and across Cardingmill Valley into Rectory Wood. Will we get back before the teashops close, I wonder? [PROFILE]
Friday 8th June 2012: Walk no 5
Walk Title: Caractacus's Cave
Leaders: Gerry and Christine Richardson
Distance: 6.5 miles
Sector: 4
Duration: Half Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue: Silvester Horne Institute
General Description
This 6.5 mile walk visits the cave near the summit of Caer Caradoc that is the legendary hiding place of Caractacus, the ancient British chieftain whose last stand against the Romans was close by, according to local folklore. Although marked on the Ordnance Survey map, the cave is well-hidden and can be difficult to find. Caer Caradoc is a dramatic hill with rocky volcanic outcrops. On the eastern flanks these form part of the defences of the Iron Age hillfort, one of the most impressive of many in Shropshire. Our route avoids severe gradients, but nevertheless reaches the top of Caradoc using a path aptly called "the Pensioners' Path". Our walk goes up Snatchfield, round Hazler Hill and along the base of Hope Bowdler Hill to Cwms Cottage and Cwms Lane, then up the Pensioners' Path to the top of Caradoc, where the Stiperstones suddenly come into view over the top of the Long Mynd. We visit Caractacus's Cave and then walk along the spine to Three Fingers Rock at the other end of the hill where Church Stretton comes into view. From here we follow an easy way back to Cwms Lane, down to the river and through Helmeth Wood, an ancient woodland, now managed by The Woodlands Trust. We go down a field to Coppice Leasowes, a local nature reserve, cross the main road and walk through playing fields to the town in time for a late lunch. We shall be observing the impact of man on the landscape over time, including the Roman road, strip farming, parliamentary enclosures, old hedge banks, coppiced and pollarded trees, squatters' fields, sunken lanes and holloways. We shall be looking at the natural history around us, including ancient woodland indicators and telling the story of Caractacus, his fights with the Romans and the evidence of the Romans in South Shropshire. [PROFILE]
Friday 8th June 2012: Walk no 6
Walk Title: Ancient Stones, Mysteries and Myths
Leaders: Alan Garner and Mike Hall
Distance: 10.4 miles
Sectors: 1 & 2
Duration: Full Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue: Silvester Horne Institute
Lunch: Picnic
General Description
Myths and legends abound in the Shropshire Hills - as well as tales that can be traced back just a few decades. On this walk we stop many times to discover what happened years ago and how story tellers have weaved this landscape and its peoples into their work. We walk over the Long Mynd's golfcourse, and to the top of Batch Valley. Then we cross over the Betchcott Hills and into Golden Valley, with the ancient rocky Stiperstones ridge in view, with many myths and legends to learn about. Here Foxy and Hazel roamed, and there were spies in the sky. Next we walk the lower reaches of the Darnford Valley, before ascending past Belmore Farm to the Shooting Box. On the way back, we pass "The best view in the house" on the Burway path into the town. This is a walk that stretches your legs, and lets your mind explore myths and stories along the way. [PROFILE]
Friday 8th June 2012: Walk no 7
Walk Title: Natural History of the Long Mynd
Leaders: Nick Robinson and Frank and Frances Hay
Distance: 6.6 miles
Sector: 2
Duration: Half Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue: Silvester Horne Institute
General Description
A delightful ramble along two of the Long Mynd's most stunning valleys, in the company of specialist National Trust staff, who will give you an insight into the natural history of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Learn about the many varieties of birds and wildlife on the Mynd, and how the National Trust and its local volunteer task force maintain the footpaths for walkers to enjoy every year. [PROFILE]
Friday 8th June 2012: Walk no 8
Walk Title: Introduction to Map and Compass
Leaders: Paul Wynn and Guy Sjörgren
Distance: 6 to 8 miles
Sectors: 1 & 2
Duration: Full Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue: Silvester Horne Institute
Lunch: Picnic
General Description
Struggling to read a map or a compass? Worried about getting lost in the mountains? This is the walk for you. Paul Wynn from Spike Outdoors will give you a basic introduction to reading a map and using a compass and then take you out on to the Long Mynd to put your new found skills into practice. What a great way to learn!
Friday 8th June 2012: Walk no 9
Walk Title: A Ridge Too Far….
Leaders: Barbara Vickery and Trevor Halsey
Distance: 11.8 miles
Sectors: 1 & 2
Duration: Full Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue Silvester Horne Institute
Transport Out
Lunch: Pub
General Description
This walk is all about ridges and is not a walk for the faint-hearted. Climbing two of the highest hill ranges in Shropshire in the same day will definitely be a challenge, as will the distance of 11.5 miles. But the rewards will be worth the effort as you'll get to experience some of the best views in our hills. We have a lot of ground to cover and therefore this walk will not be a leisurely stroll but will be an opportunity to stretch your legs whilst taking in the glorious countryside around you.
Leaving Church Stretton by bus to drive to the Bog, we go over both the Long Mynd and Stiperstones ridges on the way out - so you'll be able to glimpse the fabulous countryside awaiting you on your return walk to Stretton. We start at the Bog - a fascinating place in its own right with an interesting history - and proceed to walk steadily but fairly gently up towards the Devil's Chair and the top of the Stiperstones ridge. We're now in the land of myths and legends. The Stiperstones is a very atmospheric place (especially when the Devil is in his Chair, but hopefully he'll be absent when we do our walk!). From here we make our way down again into Hell's Gutter before climbing both Gatten and Ratlinghope Hills to finally descend into the delightfully peaceful Darnford valley where we will find our well-earned lunch stop at Bridges. After lunch we climb (again) over Adstone Hill, where the views all around are fantastic. This is just a small climb to get your legs adjusted for the much bigger and longer climb back over the Long Mynd. From the ridge of the Long Mynd there are views in all directions into Wales (and back to the Stiperstones) and the rest of Shropshire. After a short walk on the Port Way along the top, we descend via the delightful Carding Mill Valley which offers a glimpse of one of the top ten views in the country (as designated by the Royal Post Office in 2007 on its series of "Best Views" postage stamps). [PROFILE]
Saturday 9th June 2012: Walk no 10
Walk Title: Counting the Steps
Leaders: Dick Ward and Barbara Halsey
Distance: 6.8 miles
Sector: 1
Duration: Half Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue: Silvester Horne Institute
General Description
From Church Stretton we walk up through Rectory Field, a public open space close to the centre of town. We then tackle the "100 steps", though some say that this figure is inaccurate. This brings us out above the treeline on the slopes of the Long Mynd. Having paused to catch our breath we climb up a shoulder of the Mynd. From the top you can either rest and admire the view or take an optional diversion to Ashlet Hill for fine views of the Stretton valley. We now climb more gently to the top of the Long Mynd at Pole Cott. After admiring the views we stride out along the ancient Port Way which runs along the spine of the Mynd before descending Dr. Mott's Road into Carding Mill Valley and a welcome break at the National Trust tearoom. From here it is a short walk through Rectory Wood back to Church Stretton. [PROFILE]
Saturday 9th June 2012: Walk no 11
Walk Title: Lingering Long Mynd
Leaders: Frank and Frances Hay
Distance: 8.3 miles
Sectors: 2
Duration: Full Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue: Silvester Horne Institute
Lunch: Picnic
General Description
Some of the best views of hills and mountains are from below and we shall take advantage of this as we commence our walk along the Stretton Valley. We will stop to look across to the hill fort of Caer Caradoc, reputed site of Caractus's last battle against the Romans in AD51. The Caractusian Society used to meet here every year in the 18th century to celebrate this battle and consume "cold meat and liquor". We can look forward to our own picnic where perhaps we will look at their poem in praise of 'Brave Caradoc'. We now commence our climb onto the Mynd. Glaciers of the last ice age were very active here, carving out channels and passageways in the hillside and we will thread our way through these to take a more gradual way to the top, passing through the Bronze Age Cross Dyke on High Park. It is level(ish!) walking now along the late Saxon drove road - the Port Way, passing Bronze Age Round Barrows, until we turn off to the springs of Boiling Wells and our route down to Church Stretton via the original valley reservoir and the Capability Brown landscaped Rectory Wood. [PROFILE]
Saturday 9th June 2012: Walk no 12
Walk Title: Cardington and The Wilderness
Leaders: Liz and John Knowles
Distance: 9.5 miles
Sector: 2
Duration: Full Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue: Silvester Horne Institute
Lunch: Pub
General Description
From Church Stretton we climb steeply climb up on to Hope Bowdler Hill. Catching our breath, we then walk along the undulating ridge with extensive views of all the Shropshire hills and beyond to the Malverns and Hay Bluff. Our descent takes us to fields and quiet lanes to the charming conservation village of Cardington. After lunch taken at Shropshire's oldest pub, we leave the village again through fields and return to Church Stretton via open hillside, streams and woods. [PROFILE]
Saturday 9th June 2012: Walk no 13
Walk Title: From Pole to Pole
Leaders: Trevor Halsey and Barbara Vickery
Distance: 11.2 miles
Sectors: 1 & 3
Duration: Full Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue: Silvester Horne Institute
Lunch: Pub
General Description
This is a fairly strenuous walk to the top of the Long Mynd with a pub lunch in Little Stretton before another steep climb onto Ragleth Hill. Plenty of effort is required but the rewards are magnificent. We leave Church Stretton through Rectory Wood before entering Cardingmill Valley to tackle the Pike, a steep rocky ridge which leads us up to Haddon Hill, and then after a further climb onto the Port Way, an old drovers track which runs along the top of the Long Mynd. A gentle ascent takes us to Pole Bank, the highest point on the Mynd at 517 metres, where there is a toposcope which shows the direction and distances of the surrounding hills and towns. We now continue across the top of the plateau before dropping down across Barristers Plain and then steeply down the side of Small Batch to the village of Little Stretton and the pretty Ragleth Inn where lunch awaits. We now cross the A49 and are immediately faced with one of the steepest paths around Stretton, the south path onto Ragleth Hill. You may be out of breath at the top and it is usually windy but don't worry as there is a pole to hang on to. Descending Ragleth Hill we pass a cottage with an unusual hedge before skirting Hazler Hill and then our last slope up Gaerstone Farm Lane before dropping down through Helmeth Wood and back to town for tea and cake. [PROFILE]
Sunday 10th June 2012: Walk no 14
Walk Title: Journey to the South Pole
Leaders: Liz and John Knowles
Distance: 6.5 miles
Sector: 3
Duration: Half Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue: Silvester Horne Institute
General Description
As you approach Church Stretton along the A49 from the south, Ragleth Hill dominates the landscape. It is soon dwarfed by its loftier neighbours, but it is still a force to be reckoned with. We approach the hill from the north and are soon enjoying the undulating ridge. Reaching the 'South Pole' is often a windy affair so we may not linger. The descent is steep but short. We return under the south-east slopes of Ragleth with beautiful views towards the Clee Hills. Passing below Hazler Hill we make for Helmeth Woods and back down to Church Stretton. [PROFILE]
Sunday 10th June 2012: Walk no 15
Walk Title: No Mountains to Climb
Leaders: Lesley and Eric Brown
Distance: 5.7 miles
Sector: 4
Duration: Half Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue: Silvester Horne Institute
General Description
We are not going to reach the top of any of the Shropshire Hills on this walk. That is not to say it is totally flat - there is no such thing in this area! Crossing the A49 , we make our way up through Helmeth Woods and along the flanks of Hope Bowdler Hill. This gives us fine views of Caer Caradoc. We finally head towards it through the fields. As we get closer, keep your nerve. We are not going to the top but to the saddle between it and Little Caradoc. This puts us on line to descend into All Stretton. and back to Church Stretton. [PROFILE]
Sunday 10th June 2012: Walk no 16
Walk Title: Ancient Stones, Mysteries and Myths
Leaders: Alan Garner and Barbara Halsey
Distance: 10.4 miles
Sectors: 1 & 2
Duration: Full Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue: Silvester Horne Institute
Lunch: Picnic
General Description
Myths and legends abound in the Shropshire Hills - as well as tales that
can be traced back just a few decades. On this walk we stop many times
to discover what happened years ago and how story tellers have weaved
this landscape and its peoples into their work. We walk over the Long
Mynd's golfcourse, and to the top of Batch Valley. Then we cross over
the Betchcott Hills and into Golden Valley, with the ancient rocky
Stiperstones ridge in view, with many myths and legends to learn about.
Here Foxy and Hazel roamed, and there were spies in the sky. Next we
walk the lower reaches of the Darnford Valley, before ascending past
Belmore Farm to the Shooting Box. On the way back, we pass "The best
view in the house" on the Burway path into the town. This is a walk that
stretches your legs, and lets your mind explore myths and stories along
the way. [PROFILE]
Sunday 10th June 2012: Walk no 17
Walk Title: Ancient Drovers' Ways
Leaders: Nick Robinson and Mike Hall
Distance: 8.5 miles
Sector: (s) 1
Duration: Full Day
Start time: 09:30
Start venue: Silvester Horne Institute
Transport Out
Lunch: Picnic
General Description
A classic walk traversing of the Long Mynd's seemingly never-ending spine with stunning views all day long. From Plowden, we ascend the Long Mynd from the south end and walk back in time along the ancient Port Way which runs along the ridge of the Mynd. [PROFILE]
Walking Sector Map
[Page updated 14 Jan 2012 by AJA]
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