Walk 3048 - Caer Caradoc & The Lawley from Church Stretton - Shropshire Hills AONB Shropshire - a detailed walk description from Walking Britain

Region	Shropshire Hills AONB
County/Area	Shropshire
Author	Lou Johnson
Length	10.0 miles / 16.3 km
Ascent	2480 feet / 752 metres
Grade	moderate
Start	grid reference SO454936

The Shropshire countryside to the east of Church Stretton is beautiful formed from a complex series of hills and ridges. Less accessible and therefore much quieter than the Long Mynd to the west, the area provides a number of energetic walks. Do not be misled into thinking this is a gentle Shropshire walk as the total ascent is similar to many Lakeland walks with one of the hardest climbs occurring towards the end of the route!

The start is the Church Stretton where car parking is available together with a train service. To start locate Sandford Avenue which runs from the traffic lights on the A49 into the main centre. Take Essex Road, which leads north from this avenue, and continue north to reach a footpath sign on your right at the northern end of a sheltered housing unit (Grid ref. 457939).

Follow this footpath across the railway to reach the A49. Cross this busy main road and continue along the track opposite. This leads to a housing estate. Do not go into the estate but turn left along a lane, which is followed as far as gate leading to New House Farm. Take the second footpath on the right and follow the path around a field to join a track that leads you to a footbridge (Grid ref. 471943). Cross this and walk east following a decent track that soon swings northwards and begins to climb.

Stay on this track towards a wide col with Caer Caradoc rising to your left. This area is well endowed with footpaths and care is needed to ensure you stay on route. After passing Cwms Cottage locate the footpath leading onto the Wilderness. This leaves the lane through a gate (Grid ref. 485951). The path is not clear but walk to the highest point (spot height 321m) and continue north with the hedge on your right. This leads you along the Wilderness without further problem to a track. Go right through the gate and head east down this track to reached a metalled road. Turn left downhill to a cross-roads. Take the signed bridleway opposite and follow this to reach a lane in the hamlet of Enchmarsh.

Turn left uphill and right at a T-junction. Almost immediately turn left down a track (Grid ref. 502966). Follow this north and then northeast along Hoar Edge to reach a lane. Turn left and follow this quiet lane downhill with views of the Lawley ahead. Stay on this lane to reach the north end of the Lawley's ridge where a path leads up from the lane and stays on the ridge all the way to the summit.

The views are superb in all directions and it is worth spending some time on the grassy summit to enjoy the Shropshire countryside. Descend steeply southwest and exit onto the lane near Comley Farm. Turn left along the lane taking the right fork at the first junction. Continue up this lane ignoring the footpath signs at a hairpin bend. After approximately 200 metres take the signed path on the left. Head up this path for 100 metres before turning left again. Almost immediately you will see a path on your right that climbs steeply onto Little Caradoc. Ahead lies a fence with a stile. Cross this and continue the steep climb to the summit of Caer Caradoc. At the end of a walk this seems much steeper than it really is!

From the summit head southwest staying on the ridge path to reach Three Fingers Rock. Shortly afterwards the path descends steeply to a stile. Cross this and continue the descent to reach the footbridge crossed in the early stages of the walk. All you need to do is retrace your steps back to Church Stretton where there are plenty of opportunities for refreshment.

It is recommended you take a map with you when following a walk route. The preferred scale is 1:25000 used by the Explorer series.

Note : If two maps are listed at the same scale then either (a) both are required for full coverage of the route or (b) the route is covered on both maps.

Shuttocks Wood, Norbury, Bishops Castle - Shropshire
Bed & Breakfast - 5.3 miles / 8.5 km away