This walk takes you from the small village of Picklescott up to the smaller south Shropshire Hills. The walk also takes you along the ancient drovers road called the Portway which links many settlements in the area. The walk follows quiet country lanes, tracks and crosses grassland.
Views
You will have extensive views of the Shropshire Hills, but also probably the best view of the county town of Shrewsbury and into the Cheshire Plain beyond.
The Portway
The Portway is an ancient highway which continues along the full length of the Long Mynd and beyond. The 5,000 year old ridge-way once carried Neolithic traders high and dry above the wet and dangerous wooded valleys. This trackway joined the Kerry Ridgeway at the River Onny, running north-east along the Long Mynd and down to join the Wrekin – Oswestry Trackway at Sharpstone Hill. The close proximity of a number of round barrows along the Long Mynd suggests that these acted as route markers. It is also possible that the Portway formed a territorial boundary between two tribes and the location of the barrows indicated land ownership on either side of the track.
Food, drink and accommodation
The walk starts and ends at the The Bottle and Glass, Picklescott, Church Stretton SY6 6NR. Be welcomed to the traditional 17th century pub with a warm, cosy atmosphere.
Not far from Cardington is Church Stretton, the walker’s favourite haunt. You will find a wide range of accommodation, specialist shops and places to eat and drink. Contact the Church Stretton Visitor Information Centre on 01694 723133. Visit Church Stretton.
Find accommodation listings on www.visitshropshirehills.co.uk or Visit Shropshire