Cycling is one of the best ways to explore the dramatic landscape of the Church Stretton Hills. These rides have some quite challenging gradients in places but the attractions, picturesque villages and breath taking scenery they take in are worth the, at times, testing climbs. Cycled over a day, with a picnic lunch or a stop at a local pub, this really is a great way to explore the area. These cycle routes have been chosen to suit a range of interests and abilities, the shortest route being 12 miles and the longest 22 miles.
Church Stretton Cycle Rides Route 4: Church Stretton Challenge (13 mile)
A challenging 13 mile circular off-road mountain bike route from Church Stretton along the top of the Long Mynd. The testing climbs and steep descents reward you with fabulous views and the opportunity to watch gliders at close hand and are well worth the effort.
Places of interest:
Church Stretton
Church Stretton is an historic Market Town situated in the heart of the South Shropshire hills on the English/Welsh border known as The Marches. It is the only town in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the first Walkers are Welcome town in the Midlands. The area is renowned worldwide for its geology, with some of the oldest rock formations in existence.
Long Mynd
The Long Mynd (from the Welsh ‘mynydd’ or bare mountain) is a huge whale-backed plateau of ancient grits and shales, owned and protected by the National Trust. Some ten miles long, rising to 1700 feet above sea level, and covering almost six thousand acres, it provides some jaw-dropping panoramas.
The Portway
This an ancient track that runs along the entire length of the 10 mile crest of the Long Mynd. Riding along the track, you are following in the footsteps of Neolithic traders, while in the Middle Ages it was a King’s Highway. Towards its southern end the track passes a large flat and grassy area occupied by the Midland Gliding Club. From here scores of gliders swoop and soar in Welsh/Shropshire thermals while just beyond one can glimpse far below the patchwork of little fields on the western foot of the Mynd.
Devil’s Mouth
At certain times of the year mists from Townbrook Hollow swirl past the rock devil’s mouth, giving an impression of it breathing out smoke from its ‘mouth’.
Boiling Well
So named because after heavy rains, the underground spring feeding the well causes bubbles to rise to the surface of this spring pool.
Robin Hood’s Butts
Said to have earned its name from the mass of boulders nearby that afforded good concealment for hidden ‘highwaymen’ waiting for unsuspecting victims on the Portway.
Ride directions
Step 1
Follow instructions 1 to 9 of Route 3 Long Mynd Loop
Step 2
Exiting through the gliding club gates, turn right at the unsigned
junction with the public road. Stay on the tarmac road ignoring
an unsigned muddy track off to the right (previously signed Minton) and another (previously signed
Little Stretton).Step 3
Ignore a track off to the left leading into a small unsigned car park.
Step 4
Stay on the tarmac road for a short cut along The Burway back to Church
Stretton. Be aware of cars and wandering sheep. Giving excellent views, the Burway comes increasingly steep on descent. Take care on descent and on entering Church Stretton.