Caer Caradoc from Church Stretton
Shropshire Hills Walk
Region - Shropshire Hills
County/Area - Shropshire
Author - Lou Johnson
Length - 3.5 miles / 5.7 km Ascent - 960 feet / 291 metres
Time - 2 hours 40 minutes Grade - easy/mod
Maps
Ordnance Survey Explorer 217 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Anquet OS Explorer 217 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Ordnance Survey Landranger 137 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Anquet OS Landranger 137 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Walk Route Description
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This appears to be a walk without challenge yet the ascent of this hill is steep hence its grading of "easy to moderate". The reward for your efforts is some excellent exercise and wonderful views to the Long Mynd. In addition the hill is full of history with its natural ramparts being used by iron age man and the Romans as an ideal fort.
The start is the lay-by (Grid ref. SO 466954) on the eastern side of the A49 Shrewsbury to Ludlow road about a mile north of the main road junction in the town centre. From this lay-by head north along the grass verge with Caer Caradoc rising steeply on your right to reach a signed footpath going right across a field and into a wood. You are soon through the wood and crossing further pasture you climb steadily to reach a stile. Take note of this spot as you will return here at the end of the route.
Cross this stile and turn left along the footpath that contours north along the flank of caer Caradoc. After approximately half a mile look out for a rising path forking right. Take this and climb more steeply to the col between Caer Caradoc and Little Caradoc. Turn right to climb more steeply onto the summit of Caer Caradoc. The summit provides superb views - west across the valley to the Long Mynd, southeast to Hope Bowder Hill and northeast to the Lawley and the Wrekin.
Leave the summit rocks and follow the ridge south and then southwest to reach Three Fingers Rock, which is well known feature of this hill. Shortly after this outcrop the path drops steeply to reach a stile. Do not clamber over, instead turning right to follow a footpath that contours around Caer Caradoc to reach the point detailed above. Turn left over the stile and descend across pastures and through the wood to regain the starting point.
Other walks nearby
Walk 1321 | Caer Caradoc & Hope Bowder Hill | moderate | 9.0 miles |
Walk 3048 | Caer Caradoc & The Lawley | moderate | 10.0 miles |
Walk 3308 | Ragleth and the Long Mynd | mod/hard | 11.0 miles |
Walk 3449 | Ragleth, the Long Mynd & Ratlinghope | hard | 18.0 miles |
Walk 1374 | Lightspout Waterfall and Pole Bank | easy/mod | 5.8 miles |
Walk 1180 | Pole Bank (Long Mynd) from Carding Mill | moderate | 6.5 miles |
Walk 1409 | Haddon Hill and Bodbury Hill | easy/mod | 4.4 miles |
Walk 2159 | Lightspout Hollow, Pole Bank & Ashes Hollow | moderate | 7.3 miles |
Walk 3447 | Caer Caradoc, Hope Bowdler & Willstone Hills | moderate | 7.0 miles |
Walk 1844 | The Portway & Betchcott Hill from Picklescott | easy/mod | 5.0 miles |
Recommended Books & eBooks
Hillwalking in Shropshire
Guidebook to 32 walking routes in Shropshire in the West Midlands. The routes range from 3 miles (5km) to 12 miles (19km), taking in highlights such as The Wrekin, Wenlock Edge, Long Mynd and Stiperstones, Castle Ring and Bury Ditches. Many routes start near delightful towns and villages including Church Stretton, Ludlow and Bishops Castle.
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