News from The Great Outdoors reporter Nick Durgon
Nick is a member of the Shropshire walking community who has kindly provided some great ideas for walks in Shropshire. Keep an eye out for more walks from Nick.
You should check details ahead of enjoying these walks to ensure that they meet your needs and abilities and that they are safe to explore for you and your family, as ground conditions, routes and the environment can change quickly.
About the author
Nick Durgom maintains GPS Cycle and Walking Routes, a UK walking website featuring thousands of walking, cycling and running routes with detailed route guides, GPX downloads and Ordnance Survey mapping. A keen walker and cyclist, he has been developing the site for over 20 years and regularly researches and documents trails throughout Britain.
The Haughmond Pub Reopens: Discover Walks Around Haughmond Hill
The recent reopening of The Haughmond at Upton Magna has been warmly welcomed by walkers and local residents after uncertainty over the future of the popular country pub. The inn has long been a favourite stopping point for people exploring Haughmond Hill and the surrounding countryside, and its reopening means visitors can once again combine a day out on the hill with food and refreshments close to the walking trails.
Haughmond Hill, just a few miles east of Shrewsbury, is home to a network of waymarked walking trails with routes to suit a range of abilities. Four colour-coded trails explore the hill, including the Bardon Geo Trail, which leads to a viewpoint with wonderful views across the Shropshire countryside and the River Severn, Henry’s Hike with excellent views towards The Wrekin, and Wilfred’s Walk, a four-kilometre circular route named after First World War poet Wilfred Owen, who had links with the area. There is also an easy access trail suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.
The walks pass through a mixture of deciduous and coniferous woodland, visiting an Iron Age enclosure and Haughmond Quarry along the way. Deer are frequently seen amongst the trees, while those looking for a longer outing can continue to the impressive ruins of Haughmond Abbey and Haughmond Abbey Woods, follow the Severn Way beside the River Severn, or pick up the route of the former Shrewsbury Canal towards Uffington and Shrewsbury.
Seasonal Summer Walks and Easy Access Trails
With warm weather continuing, Haughmond Hill is also an excellent choice for a summer walk. Much of the route follows shaded woodland paths, providing welcome relief from the heat while still offering occasional viewpoints across the Shropshire countryside, the River Severn and The Wrekin. For those looking for a shorter or more accessible outing, Haughmond Hill’s easy access trail also provides an opportunity to enjoy the woodland without tackling the steeper routes.
Another great option for hot days is Mortimer Forest near Ludlow. This extensive woodland on the Shropshire–Herefordshire border features a network of signed walking and cycling trails through peaceful forest, including the climb to High Vinnalls where panoramic views reward the effort. The forest includes the Vinnalls easy access trail, which includes several seats and is suitable for push chairs and wheelchairs. The area also links with the long-distance Mortimer Trail, while those looking for a longer outing can continue towards Croft Ambrey Iron Age Hillfort or explore the parkland surrounding Croft Castle.
For walkers who enjoy wildflowers and wildlife, Granville Country Park near Telford is at its best during the summer months. The nature reserve includes a rich variety of habitats, including grassland, heath, woodland, pools and scrub, supporting colourful displays of orchids, ox-eye daisies and cowslips. Historic mining remains add further interest, while the Hutchison Way passes through the park, making it easy to extend your walk into the surrounding countryside. The park also includes surfaced paths suitable for visitors of a range of abilities.