Walk 1844 - printer friendly version

The Portway & Betchcott Hill from Picklescott Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 5.0 miles / 8.1 km

Ascent - 600 feet / 182 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference SO435994
Lat 52.58945 + Long -2.8354232
Postcode SY6 6NR (approx. location only)

This walk in the Shropshire Hills visits the rolling country lying to the north and west of the village of Picklescott and includes the summit of Betchcott Hill from where wide-ranging views across the surrounding area can be obtained. Parking in Picklescott is limited with a space adjacent to the bus stop in the centre of the village (grid ref. SO435994). Parking for patrons only is available at The Bottle and Glass Inn a few metres north of this point.

After parking walk west through the village following the lane to Rattlinghope bearing right by a stone cottage on the facing corner of the junction. Stay on this lane for just under 300 metres and take the no through lane on the right (grid ref. SO433994) with a blue Humphrey Kynaston Way waymark. Continue up this lane to reach the Larches on your left (grid ref. SO431998).

Continue ahead up the clear track for a further 800 metres and turn left through a gate (grid ref. SO428005). This section is waymarked with Walking With Offa signs. After 500 metres you reach a junction with the Shropshire Way (grid ref. SO426009). Continue head for a short way towards Sheppen Fields before turning sharp left to continue southwest along the Shropshire Way at grid ref. SO425009).

Stay on the Shropshire Way to reach a stile on the lane near Wilderley Hill (grid ref. SO413995). Cross straight over the lane, staying on the Shropshire Way, and follow the Portway. After 800 metres you reach a gate (grid ref. SO420985). Continue ahead to the trig point on Betchcott Hill (grid ref. SO422982) from where you can enjoy a panorama across the rolling landscape.

Retrace you steps north back to the gate and turn right onto a path signed for the Humphrey Kynaston Way and Walking with Offa paths. Continue along the fence (on your right) to reach a gate after 300 metres (grid ref. SO421988) by a small wood. Go through the gate and follow the Walking With Offa waymarks to join a bridleway which descends gently to reach a lane (grid ref. SO428995). Turn right and walk back into Picklescott.

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