Shropshire is one of the prettiest counties in England. I might be biased because I live there, but those old, rolling hills, swathes of woodland, undulating patchwork fields, and historic towns and villages rival anywhere else in the country.
It’s also a walker’s paradise, with a wide network of footpaths that take you over remote hills, through glacial valleys, alongside bucolic farmland, and into lush forests.
To experience the best that Shropshire has to offer, look no further than the Shropshire Hills Walk. This 52-mile circular hike combines places of natural beauty like Long Mynd, Stiperstones, and Ragleth Hill, fascinating historical sites like Clun Castle and Offa’s Dyke, and charming towns like Church Stretton and Bishop’s Castle.
The Shropshire Hills Walk was devised by the Managing Director of Contours Holidays, Karen Simons, another Shropshire resident. And with 30 years of experience at Contours, planning and creating walking holidays and long-distance hikes for others to enjoy, the fact it’s one of Karen’s favourite areas to walk in the UK should be all the recommendation you need.
So, check out how to hike the Shropshire Hills Walk below, and to help organise your accommodation, transport, and complete route guidance, head over to the Contours Holidays website here to book a self-guided hike along the Shropshire Hills Walk.
Day 1: Church Stretton to Bishop’s Castle (19 miles)
The route begins in the lovely town of Church Stretton, which is situated in a valley underneath Long Mynd and hosts markets and many independent shops. After leaving Church Stretton, the walk continues through Carding Mill Valley and up Long Mynd, soon rising above the landscape.
From here, you’ll have phenomenal views of the surrounding hills, stretching right across to Wales. You’ll be in the company of hill ponies and birds as you trek across the heather-clad hill, before dropping into a wooded valley.
From here, you’ll pass the village of Ratlinghope (where you can take a break at The Bridges pub) and then continue up the trail to Stiperstones, with its distinctive, jagged summit and ancient rock formations. Then, it’s a gentle descent over rolling farmland into Bishop’s Castle, where you can relax knowing you’ve already got the longest section of the walk out of the way.
Day 2: Bishop’s Castle to Clun (12 miles)
The next section is particularly remote, and you’ll want to carry enough water (or water purifiers) for the whole day, especially in summer. You might not even see a single other person between Bishop’s Castle and Clun!
Upon leaving Bishop’s Castle, the walk carries on through peaceful countryside before joining a riverside path. Then, you’ll slowly rise through some woodland to meet Offa’s Dyke, the 8th century earthwork constructed by the Mercians to guard their border with the Welsh.
You’ll follow the Dyke and the path of the National Trail for a section before leaving the Dyke and walking over a few more hills before entering Clun, with its impressive castle ruins. The ruins are free to enter and well worth a look around before putting your feet up for the night.
Day 3: Clun to Craven Arms (11.5 miles)
Leaving Clun and the walk gently rises along some wooded paths before coming along Bury Ditches, an Iron Age hillfort with spectacular views overlooking the surrounding countryside. From here, the trail continues through more woodland home to deer and goats, and then carries on up Hopesay Hill.
After admiring the views from Hopesay Hill, a descent over some easy hills takes you into Craven Arms, another pleasant market town. Nearby is Stokesay Castle, the best-preserved fortified manor house in England, and a fascinating snapshot of medieval life. If you’ve got time, it’s a great place to explore.
Day 4: Craven Arms to Church Stretton (9.5 miles)
The final day is also the shortest, but there’s still plenty to see. The first section will take you out of town and up onto the southwestern point of Wenlock Edge, the unique limestone escarpment that runs from Craven Arms to Much Wenlock.
As you leave the Edge and climb Ragleth Hill, you’ll be rewarded with one of the finest views of the entire walk, with Church Stretton and Long Mynd in one direction and the prominent Clee Hills in the other. Beyond, Caer Caradoc, the Lawley, and the Wrekin are all visible as well.
Once you’ve finished savouring the views, it’s just a matter of descending into Church Stretton, where your journey through some of England’s most beautiful countryside will be complete.
Book your adventure on the Shropshire Hills Walk today
If you’re ready to explore Shropshire, head over to the Contours Holidays website to find out more information about the Shropshire Hills Walks.
Contours offers self-guided walking holidays across the UK, including the Shropshire Hills Walk, and organise accommodation, luggage transfers, transport to your hotel (if needed), breakfasts each day, and a complete information pack with maps of the route, kit list, and travel instructions.
Booking with Contours makes completing a hike like the Shropshire Hills Walk that much easier, knowing you’ll have comfortable accommodation and your luggage waiting for you every night, letting you simply enjoy the outstanding walking each day.
They also offer a five-day itinerary for the Shropshire Hills Walk, breaking that long first section into two days. Plus, the whole journey is dog-friendly, so you can bring your four-legged friend along with you.
Find out more at Contours Holidays here.