Category: On the hills

The four Shropshire Way Short Break walks include:

Heart of the Hills and Far from the Crowds – Shrewsbury to Bishop’s Castle via the Bridges Pub in Rattlinghope

Distance: approx. 26 miles (2–3 days)

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

Starting in the vibrant, foodie town of Shrewsbury with its Medieval backstreets and River Severn views, the route heads south into the Shropshire Hills via Lyth Hill, taking in quiet valleys then over the dramatic Stiperstones ridge, finishing in one of the county’s most characterful market towns at Bishop’s Castle.

Three Castles and One Quiet Sun – Ludlow, Bishop’s Castle, Clun and Craven Arms

Distance: approx. 32 miles (3–4 days)

Difficulty: Challenging

From Ludlow’s grandeur to Bishop Castle’s charm and onto Clun (described by A.E. Housman in his book A Shropshire Lad, as ‘the quietest place under the sun’) and Craven Arms. This flexible route linking historic towns, riverside paths and rolling hill country, passes castles, hillforts and wide open views across the Shropshire Hills.

The Wrekin Rises and the Iron Bridge Beckons – Wellington, Ironbridge and Much Wenlock

Distance: approx. 20 miles (2–3 days)

Difficulty: Moderate

Starting in Wellington, this varied walk through ancient woodland and panoramic hilltops, includes a climb of the Wrekin and a crossing of the iconic Iron Bridge in the heart of the Ironbridge Gorge and its many museums, before finishing in postcard pretty Much Wenlock with its Abbey and connection to the modern day Olympic Games.

Meres, Mosses and Canals Unfold – Circular from Shrewsbury via Ellesmere & Wem

Distance: approx. 36 miles (3–4 days)

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Gentle walking through glacial meres, mosses, quiet lanes and canal paths, offering a flatter and more relaxed introduction to the Shropshire Way.

Together, the new Shropshire Way Short Break Trails make it easier than ever to explore one of England’s most quietly spectacular long-distance routes, whether for a first taste of the trail or as the start of a longer walking adventure. For more information visit www.visitshropshire.co.uk https://www.shropshiresgreatoutdoors.co.uk/

Coast to Coast (Wainwright) is planned to be opened as a National Trail on 31st March 2026. The most eroded parts of the route have been improved, and additional public rights of way (including bridleways and step-style-free routes) created. New wooden fingerposts and waymark posts featuring Wainwright’s ‘aw’ signature monogram have been installed throughout, and the LDP will appear on Ordnance Survey maps for the first time. Issues remaining to be addressed are a new A19 footbridge, and repairs following last year’s North York Moors wildfire. Three kilometres of the route out of St Bees were also closed before Christmas due to at least one landslip. For further information, please email ldp@ldwa.org.uk.

Once again the South Shropshire Circular has been blessed with a fair weather forecast but the two dry days we had last week have done little to improve the state of many of the fields and paths en route.  In fact runners and walkers may find themselves looking forward to a good climb to get away from the mud.

If you were lucky enough to secure an entry, the car park at Minsterley opens at 6.30 with the event starting at 8.00 sharp.

Steve says”Temperatures on the up for the weekend, so hope you can make Laurel’s walk in Herefordshire. Hope to see you there! Best of luck.”
Find  all our future walks on our Social Walks Calendar

My own Long Distance Walkers group, the Marches has one of the best track records within the association for hosting challenge walks usually 20-30 miles with2-3000 foot of climbing.  We organise 4 walks annually and since covid everyone has been fully booked within a few weeks (often only a few days).  For some years the average age of entries has been climbing to the high fifties with men dominating the lists.  This year has seen the average age drop with female walkers now making up the greater numbers.

The achievements of female athletes in ultra events no longer surprises us as women trail runners snap up records as their counterparts in the swimming world have been doing for some time.

• Courtney Dauwalter (USA): Widely considered the greatest of all time, she continued her dominance in 2025, winning the Lavaredo Ultra Trail 120K and the Mt. Fuji 100 Mile. In 2023, she became the first person to win the Western States, Hardrock, and UTMB in a single year.
• Katie Schide (USA/France): A top-tier elite who won the 2025 Hardrock 100 and the 2025 Madeira Ultra Trail 100-miler. She also holds titles from UTMB (2022, 2024).
• Sarah Perry (UK): Had a breakthrough 2025 season, becoming the “last woman standing” at the 2025 Big’s Backyard Ultra World Championships in Tennessee, setting a new women’s world record of 95 laps (approx. 396 miles).
• Ruth Croft (New Zealand): Won the 2026 Tarawera by UTMB 102k (her third consecutive win) and the 2025 Transvulcania 100K.
• Jasmin Paris (UK): Made history in 2024 as the first woman to ever complete the Barkley Marathons within the time limit.

The annual general meeting of the Marches will be at the Stiperstones Inn pn Sunday 8th March starting at 10.00am.

Contact geoff@sproson.com for more information or to add an item for the agenda.

Shropshire Runners Ian Simmonds (423) and Victoria Doran (335) are in the Spine South Challenger.  Phil Clarke is on support – you can follow their progress on the Shropshire Fell Running Facebook group.