An Introduction to The Shropshire Way

Detailed Stage Breakdown

Stage 1 - Shrewsbury to Bridges

Distance: 14¾ miles (23.8km)

Time: 7hr

The Shropshire Way begins to climb in earnest late in the day with the ascent of Wilderley Hill and it follows the course of the ancient Portway. By now the iconic Stiperstones tors have come into full view. The day is ended with a very pretty descent into the Golden Valley where the path weaves between grassy folds in the hills down to Ratlinghope.

Stage 2 - Bridges to Bishop’s Castle

Distance: 11½ miles (18.4km)

Time: 6–7hr

Today, country lanes lined by hedgerow and flower-decked grass verges lead the route to one of Shropshire’s most iconic ridges, that of the Stiperstones. Here great jagged tors protrude from heather slopes. The Way then deposits its followers back into the valley before whisking them back up to the heights of Linley Hill.

Stage 3 - Bishop’s Castle to Clun

Distance: 11 miles (17.8km)

Time: 6–7hr

Beyond the town the Way begins on a fine track that heads south across pastured hillsides, then follows the valley of Wood Batch. After passing by the wooded Unk Valley at Churchtown, the Shropshire Way joins forces with the Offa’s Dyke Path, taking an undulating course by the earthworks of the Dyke to Hergan, where they part. Our route takes in the grassy ridge of Cefns and follows it down to Clun Castle.

Stage 4 - Clun to Craven Arms

Distance: 11¼ miles (18km)

Time: 6hr

The day begins on winding country lanes towards afforested hills. The highlight of the day comes early, for those forest tracks lead to the Bury Ditches hillfort, which makes an ideal platform to see far and wide across the Shropshire countryside. After descending to the ancient village of Hopesay there’s a steep but entertaining climb to the top of Hopesay Hill, where you first spy the red rooftops of distant Craven Arms. Paths now traverse a pastoral landscape on an easy-paced finale to the busy little town.

Stage 5 - Craven Arms to Ludlow

Distance: 10¾ miles (17.4km)

Time: 6hr

After you stock up in the bustling little town of Craven Arms, the Shropshire Way will take you across the meadows of the River Onny to historic Stokesay Castle. From there it climbs through woods to the little village of Aldon before tracing two splendid wooded gorges, the Aldon and Brandhill gutters. The middle section is easy, on country lanes and bridleways traversing wide flat fields. There is anticipation as the route closes in on Ludlow, where there’s fascinating history around every corner, from the powerful Norman castle to the town gates and the Buttercross, the official centre of Ludlow.

Stage 6 - Ludlow to Wheathill

Distance: 10¼ miles (16.5km)

Time: 6hr

The Shropshire Way hits the heights again after a couple of days of modest hill and valley walking. After following the River Teme to the edges of the town the route heads across green pastures to an Iron Age fort at Caynham. The ascent is gentle at first, but eventually it traverses former mining and quarrying country. A grassy tramway incline takes the route to the summit of Titterstone Clee Hill, which is topped by white radomes and some rocks known as Giant’s Chair. The views are wide and wonderful and are maintained for most of the descent to Wheathill.

Stage 7 - Wheathill to Wilderhope Manor

Distance: 11¼ miles (18.3km)

Time: 5–6hr

Yesterday the ‘Way’ tackled Shropshire’s third highest hill, today it tackles the highest, Brown Clee Hill. Like Titterstone Clee Hill, the summit is a bit industrial but the views are splendid, taking the gaze right into Wales if the atmosphere is clear enough. The way down uses a wonderful sunken green road giving views across the verdant Corve Valley to the limestone country of Wenlock Edge at day’s end.

Stage 8 - Wilderhope to Ironbridge

Distance: 12½ miles (20.1km)

Time: 6hr

From Wilderhope to Much Wenlock the Shropshire Way discovers Wenlock Edge, a 19-mile/31km wooded limestone escarpment formed over 400 million years ago when Shropshire was under the sea just south of the equator. Much Wenlock is a wonderful and historic country town with a priory that is well worth visiting before resuming the journey to Ironbridge and the Severn Gorge.

Stage 9 - Ironbridge to Wellington

Distance: 11 miles (17.6km)

Time: 6hr

The early part of the day is a fascinating mix of woodland and industrial archaeology as the route dips into Coalbrookdale and follows the Rope Walk up onto a high pastured plateau to remote Little Wenlock. Highlight of the day has to be the iconic Wrekin. The climb through woodland to the summit is steep but the craggy perches on top reward you with views across several counties. Finally, paths over the smaller, thickly wooded Ercall lead to Wellington.

Stage 10 - Wellington to Haughmond

Distance: 11¾ miles (19km)

Time: 6hr

This is an easy section, with just one low hill, that of Haughmond. The way out through the Wellington suburbs is surprisingly pleasant, with good paths taking the route around the nature reserve of Dothill Park, where there are woods and a number of lakes. Haughmond at day’s end is a delightful place with fine views through its trees to Shrewsbury’s spires and the hills of west Shropshire, with the Welsh borders fading into the horizon.

Stage 11 - Haughmond to Wem

Distance: 11¾ miles (18.9km)

Time: 6hr

Today the Shropshire Way starts its journey around north Shropshire; across very rural landscapes, where flatlands are punctuated by small sandstone hills. One of the highlights of the day, the expansive ruins of Haughmond Abbey, comes straight away, followed by the woods and the sandstone cliffs of Grinshill. The day ends in Wem, a quiet country town so typical of north Shropshire.

Stage 12 - Wem to Ellesmere

Distance: 14½ miles (23.4km)

Time: 6hr

The Ellesmere route is highlighted by glacial mosses and meres, fascinating places for flora and fauna. The route also joins the Llangollen branch of the Shropshire Union Canal, which offers a well-paced walk into Ellesmere.

Stage 13 - Ellesmere to Llanymynech

Distance: 14 miles (22.4km)

Time: 6hr

Stage 13 is about canals, and you’ll be walking them for most of the day. But they are interesting canals, winding through pretty countryside, often dominated by the distant Breidden and Llanymynech hills. With no hills to climb you’ll be able to march quite quickly, leaving more time to relax in one of the inns or cafés or to visit the fascinating quarries at Llanymynech.

Stage 14 - Llanymynech to Nesscliffe

Distance: 14¼ miles (23km)

Time: 6hr

Llanymynech is the start of the home run to Shrewsbury. For much of the morning the Shropshire Way follows the flood barrier of the River Vyrnwy, which meanders like a snake on the move. Melverley, the first village encountered, is lovely with its black and white half-timbered church and pretty cottages. The fields beyond are set mainly to crop but for most of the time the walking is easy. Nesscliffe Hill is in sight for some time, getting nearer and nearer. And then you’re on its summit, looking back on your day’s walk.

Stage 15 - Nesscliffe to Shrewsbury

Distance: 12 miles (19.4km)

Time: 5–6hr

The last day and again it’s a leisurely one, across fields, by riverbanks and finally back through historic Shrewsbury. You’ll find that the Shrawardine Castle on the map isn’t Shrawardine Castle and that Shrawardine is a delectable Severnside chocolate box village. From Shelton onwards, the Severn will be your guide as it loops around Shrewsbury to journey’s end by Kingsland Bridge.