Shropshire Hills Cycle Rides 2, Route 1: The Hopesay Hop

Ride directions

1. Step 1

   The ride starts at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre. Turn right out of the carpark and take the second left along Newton Street to the Corvedale Road. Turn right cycling out of Craven Arms on the Corvedale road, (B4368). Cross the River Onny and take the first left to the village of Halford.

2. Step 2

   Continue past Halford Church and reach the end of the tarmac road. Follow down a stony track and turn left through the 'kissing gate' into the watermeadows of the River Onny. Follow the path and cross the River Onny on a metal footbridge. Then cycle up to the junction with the A49. Please note that the kissing gate is tricky with an ebike. 

3. Step 3

   Cross over the A49 taking care, signposted for Edgeton and Craven Arms Business Park. Go over the level crossing, past the industrial estate and straight on. Then up a steep climb for just under 2 miles to the top of Wart Hill. 

4. Step 4

   Continue downhill to the hamlet of Round Oak. Take a sharp turn left signed Hopesay and The Fish. 

5. Step 5

   At Hopesay turn left signed Aston on Clun and carry on down the valley to the village of Aston on Clun. Turn right on the B4368 after 1/4 mile, take the first left (unsigned) along a narrow lane via Clunbury following the Clun River at times. At the junction of the B4385 turn left to continue to Twitchen. 

6. Step 6

   At the hamlet of Twitchen turn left at the small crossroads signed for Abcott. You can make a short diversion here to visit Hopton Castle. Cycle up a short hill, then a good roll downhill to the main road at Abcott. Turn left at the main road (B4367) towards Clungunford. 

7. Step 7

   Cycle past the church and into the village. Take the sharp left hand bend then turn right up School Lane. Ride up a short hill to the T-junction at Crossways (two distinct cottages). Turn left to follow the line of the old Roman road towards Craven Arms and Broome. 

8. Step 8

   Carry straight on along this road and down a long steep hill (take care). Cycle under the railway bridge to the junction of the main road (B4368). 

9. Step 9

   Turn right and then immediately left (just after the Craven Arms sign) onto Watling Street. Carry on along this narrow lane and turn right at the T- junction. You are now back on the outgoing cycle route. Go over the level crossing to the junction with the A49.

10. Step 10

    Cross the A49 (take care) and cycle back through the water-meadows to Halford, Craven Arms and the Shropshire  Hills Discovery Centre