The Shropshire Hills National Landscape is such a beautiful part of England. An Area of Outstanding Beauty, making it a place to add to your list, if you haven’t been already!
The one thing I love about the Shropshire Hills, there are many trails to choose from. Trails that are not too challenging, yet provide wonderful views! This is just one of the many trails to choose from!
Distance
If you are looking for a short walk, or one that’s not too challenging to do, this is the route to do! The full route, starting in the Historical Market Town of Church Stretton, is just 3.5 miles (5.6 km) long. However, if this distance is a little too far, don’t worry you can make it shorter! Instead of parking in Church Stretton, there is a National Trust Car Park further up the road. This will knock 1.5 miles (2.5 km) off the route.
If you choose to park at the National Trust Car Park, a slight adaptation to my route will be needed. I will explain more in my step-by-step instructions.
Location
Long Mynd is a 10-mile-long moorland plateau, which makes up a big section of the Shropshire Hills National Landscape. The Historical Market Town of Church Stretton, sits at the bottom of the plateau, making a great base of walks along Long Mynd.
Parking
This route starts in the Shropshire Council Car Park, next to the Co-op, in Church Stretton. The car park has some longer parking bays for campervans and motorhomes.
Please be aware, there is a small fee to park in the car park, Monday to Saturday.
SatNav address: Easthope Road 2 Car Park, Church Stretton, SY6 6BQ
If you are walking the shorter route, you can park in the Carding Mill Valley National Trust Car Park for a fee.
SatNav address: Carding Mill Valley, Church Stretton SY6 6JG
The Route
Follow this map, as you walk the route, and you shouldn’t get lost! Make sure your location is turned on and you should be able to see exactly where you are, on this map. Or if you prefer, download the GPX file and use it on your choice of route tracker.
Part of the route follows a route marked out with orange-coloured post, marked out by the National Trust.
Walk the route clockwise!
If you are walking the shorter version of the route, start from number 5 of the step-by-step instructions.
1.
Starting in the Easthope Road 2 Car Park, in the town of Church Stretton. Head towards your right-hand side out of the car park, and walk towards the church in Church Stretton, passing the Co-op on your left-hand side.
2.
At the bottom of the road, turn towards your right-hand side and follow the road for a very short distance. Very shortly, you should see a little street going off to your left-hand side. Take the street, passing by the side of the church on your left-hand side. Follow the road as it curves around.
3.
Shortly, the road will fork off to your left-hand side, leading up the hillside. Take the road up the hillside, until you reach a cattle grid. Head over the cattle grid, here you should see a stone sign, marking the start of Long Mynd.
4.
Take the path going off to your right-hand side. Follow the path as it leads you along Carding Mill Valley, to the visitor center.
5.
From the visitor centre, continue travelling in the same direction, up the Carding Mill Valley, following the orange arrows, making the trail.
If you are doing the shorter version, here is where you would start your walk.
6.
After a short while, you should see a path going off your left-hand side, signposted to the reservoir. Take the footpath, and follow it, until you reach the reservoir.
7.
On your left-hand side, head through the gate and follow the path clockwise around the reservoir.
8.
Once you arrive back at the bottom end of the reservoir, take the path travelling forward, leading you high, along the hillside.
If you are unsure at all, please check the map!
9.
Follow the path as it heads along the hillside, and slowly down towards a path junction. At the path junction, turn towards your right-hand side and follow the path back towards the visitor centre.
If you are walking the shorter version, just past the visitor centre is where you will have parked your car, and where this route ends. Therefore, please ignore from step 10.
10.
From the visitor centre, take the path forking off to your right-hand side. Follow the back until you reach the road.
11.
At the road, turn to your left-hand side, head over the cattle grid, and follow the road back down the hill towards Church Stretton. Shortly, you should see a road going off to your right-hand side. Take the road and follow it, passing the church on your right-hand side.
12.
Just past the church, turn to your right-hand side and follow the road. Very shortly, you will reach a road going off to your left-hand side. Take the road and follow it to the car park, where you started the walk.
If you are unsure, please check the map!
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Further Reading
Enjoyed this walk? Why check out: Pole Bank, Long Mynd
