Shropshire Hills Cycle Rides 1, Route 3: The Long Mynd Motivator

Ride directions

1. Step 1

   Start at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre. A car could be left here, but take note of what time the car park closes. Turn right out of the car park, follow road round to the right, then left where it becomes Newton Street. Follow to T-junction at the end where it meets the Corvedale Road, B4368.

2. Step 2

   Turn right onto B4368, follow out of Craven Arms. Cross the River Onny and take the first left to the village of Halford. 

3. Step 3

   After 300m take the first right signposted for Lower Dinchope and Westhope (next to Halford Farm).

4. Step 4

   This narrow lane takes you uphill to a viewpoint over the Onny Valley. Go downhill and then up a short steep hill to Lower Dinchope. note the memorial by the wall of the long low house. Turn left, signposted to Westhope. The hill on your right is Callow Hill. Look for the tower known as Flounders Folly on the crest. 

5. Step 5

   Follow the road as it bends left and right. fairly level cycling. Stop here and admire the view of Wenlock Edge on your left. 

6. Step 6

   Carry straight on with a gentle downhill roll into Hope Dale. At Westhope (next to the college), turn left, signposted for Middlehope and Ticklerton. 

7. Step 7

   Cycle past Middle Westhope Farm and keep left at the next junction signposted for Burwood. Up a short steep hill to wolverton Wood. down a steep hill through the woods and straight on into Ape Dale towards Ticklerton. 

8. Step 8

   At Ticklerton, keep left signposted for Acton Scott (Farm Museum). Follow the road round to the left. Cycle through the hamlet of Hatton. Level cycling with wonderful views of the hills around Church Stretton (Ragleth and Caer Caradoc).

9. Step 9

   Cycle on past the hamlets of Birtley and Hatton until you arrive at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm entrance. 

10. Step 10

    At the crossroads at Acton Scott, turn right signposted for Ragdon, easy uphill cycling to the foot of Ragleth Hill. 

11. Step 11

    Carry on past Ragdon to Hazler and cycle down a short steep hill to the main road (B4371).  Immediately turn left along Hazler road (residentail road on the outskirts of Church Stretton). 

12. Step 12

    Follow a lovely long whizz downhill to rejoin the main road at the valley bottom. turn left at the main road and straight on at the traffic lights for Church Stretton town centre. 

13. Step 13

    At the crossroads in the town centre go straight on to follow the Burway up a very steep hill to the top of the Long Mynd. Bear left at a fork and cycle along The Portway past the entrance of the Gliding Club. 

14. Step 14

    Continue down a very steep hill (25 % : 1 in 4  in parts) to Asterton and turn left. Continue for 2.5m to Plowden. At the main road (A489) turn left and follow the A road to Horderley. 

15. Step 15

    Turn right over the River Onny signposted for Edgton. Just next to the bridge is the old railway station for a line that used to lead to Bishop's Cast and operated from 1865 to 1935. 

16. Step 16

    Up a long hill out of the Onny valley and down a short way to Edgton. (Do detour to visit the lovely old church on a curved village street.) Go straight on through the village and fork left at the Manor House. Continue past the 'Stock Well' (decorated will willow) and turn left at the crossroads signposted for Craven Arms. 

17. Step 17

    Follow signs for NCR44 / Craven Arms downhill. cycle past Edgton Village Hall and milestone and down to Basford. Up a very steep hill. At the summit (approx 300m) you can virtually see your complete cycle route. 

18. Step 18

    Downhill to Round Oak and straight on signposted to Craven Arms. One last climb to Wart Hill and then downhill all the way to Craven Arms. 

19. Step 19

    Go over the level crossing to the T junction with the A49 (take care). Go straight across down a small track (next to stone water trough) leading to a footbridge across the River Onny. 

20. Step 20

    Cross the footbridge and go through the 'kissing ate'. Follow the path through the field to another 'kissing gate'. 

21. Step 21

    Turn right on the stone track to Halford. Cycle past the church and up to the T junction with the main road (B4368). Turn right and then left to retrace Newton road back to Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre.