Secret Hills Walking Holidays

Location:	Shropshire Hills
From:	30th April 2010
Days:	3/4/5
Nights:	3/4/5
Price:	£295/355/405

The May Day holiday allows you that little bit extra time to join us for an extended break in the superb Shropshire Hills.

Flexibility

We are flexible on days/dates. We are walking from Friday afternoon - 30 April to Wednesday evening 5 May. Join us for as many days/nights as you want.   

The Walking

We walk the glorious Shropshire Hills - simply magical walks, with upland scenery all around - a panorarama rarely beaten. We walk 9 -10 miles per day, plenty of breaks, and at a moderate pace. No rushing about, too much to see. We have selected five superb moderate Shropshire Hills walks for you.  Each 9/10 miles walk is in a different area of the Shropshire Hills, showing the diversity of countryside here. Each has it’s own magnificent views. The walks take in the majesty of Caer Caradoc, the wild Stiperstones ridge, the country around Offa’s Dyke, and the Long Mynd’s spectacular valleys and moorland walks. (See below)

Accommodation and meals

We stay in the lovely market twon of Church Stretton, nestling under the Long Mynd ridge. We use the Longmynd Hotel as our accommodation base - the  hotel has a bar, and lounge   We have lunch at one of Shropshire’s lovely country pubs, and dinner is three course at the hotel. An example of a menu is shown here.  Walking starts at 9.30 am, and we generally finish for that welcome cuppa at 4.30 pm. This will give you plenty of time to get ready for dinner. Dress code is smart casual.

Your walks leaders will make this weekend break relaxing and the wonderful walking will stimulate your enthusiasm for the wide outdoors.

What you get on a Secret Hills break

• Hotel bed and breakfast– en suite two nights
• Three course dinner
• Lunch
• Personal service
• Expert guiding
• Flexibility
• No single supplement- there will be a number of single people on each break. No sharing unless you state so.
• A social, relaxed approach

Walking - Grades and difficulty

We walk at a steady pace, we don’t rush. We want you to enjoy our lovely scenery - these hills are a walkers paradise with good paths and an ever changing landscape.

There are hills to ascend  - we go up to a maximum of 500 metres over two miles of walking, but the climbing is gradual and we won’t rush. What’s the point of huffing and puffing, being exhausted then not being able to enjoy this fabulous land. Descending is not precarious, and is gentle in relationship to many walking areas.

Shropshire is a land of ever changing vista’s - on any walk we get four or five different landscapes to enjoy. The views over 360 degrees are unrivalled - we see into Mid Wales to Cader Idris, the Berwyns, Malverns, Clee’s and Staffordshire peaks, as well as Shropshir’es own individual hills. Walking boots or shoes are obligatory, and many walkers find a walking pole useful, especially on the downhills. You will also need wet weather gear—generally we have a mild climate, lovely springs and autumns, and winter walking too is outstanding in theses secret hills.

Walk one - The Long Mynd

A superb walk through Carding Mill Valley,  ascending to the top of the Long Mynd at Pole Bank. Walking along the heather-clad ridge before descending down one of the many delightful valleys for our lunch stop at a local hostelry. In the afternoon, we ascend Ragleth Hill and walk along it’s ridgeline with superb views in all directions. We finally return to Church Stretton in time for a cuppa.

 Walk two - The Stretton Hills

Our walk takes us to the ancient and picturesque village of Cardington, over the Stretton Hills in the morning, passing ancient rock formations, steeped in local legend. Lunch is at the magnificent Royal Oak - a 16th Century hostel, offering a great menu selection. We return to Church Stretton via the Wilderness and moody Caer Caradoc, site of an ancient hill fort.

 Walk three - The Stiperstones Ridge

We travel out over the Long Mynd to reach the rocky tors of the Stiperstones ridge. This is a magnificent drive in Shropshire’s best hill country. Our walk takes us under the legendary Devil’s Chair before descending to the old lead mining village of Snailbeach. Lunch is at the quaint Stiperstones Inn.  In the afternoon, we pass several old lead mines as we view the Stiperstones Ridge from a distance ending up at The Bog Visitor Centre for a cuppa and cake. Transport back to Church Stretton.

Walk four - The South End of the Long Mynd

Through Rectory Wood, and ascend Town brook valley to the top of the Long Mynd, We the walk along it's spine with magnificent views, and round the south end of the hill to Hamperley, before arriving at Little Stretton. After lunch, either pub or packed, we ascend Ragleth Hill, walk along it's magical ridge line before descending into Church Stretton for tea.

Walk five - Clun's castles and hill forts

We travel to Clun and walk over Steppleknoll to Bury Ditches Hill fort - a superb Iron Age fort - and then through fort and glade back to Clun along the Cefns ridge. Little steep climbing, many pastoral scenes, good paths - a superb walk.

Walk six - From the Bog to the Church

We travel to the Bog Centre on the Stiperstones, and walk back to Church Stretton. Under the Devils Chair, over Gatten and Ratlinghope Hills, before lunch at Bridges. We ascend the Longmynd moor via the Darnford Valley, and Wildmoor, before arriving at Cardingmill Valley, then back into Church Stretton for tea.

Walk seven - Ashes  and  Batch Valley's

We walk up Ashes Valley to Pole bank and along the Long Mynd spine to it's north end. We descend down the Gallups and the Batch Valley into All Stretton for lunch. We wander out towards Caer Caradoc in the afternoon, take in wooded Helmeth Hill, and back into the town for tea.

Walk eight - The Blacksmith's Walk and Long Mynd Heights

A pastoral walk, out to Acton Scott and Wenlock Edge, and around Ragleth Hill. We follow the route of Blacksmith's who looked after the heavy horses on the Acton estate, eventually reaching Little Stretton for lunch. We ascend Ashes Hollow and descend the Burway in an undulating afternoon walk.