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The Portway & Betchcott Hill from Picklescott

Shropshire Hills Walk

Region - Shropshire Hills

County/Area - Shropshire

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 5.0 miles / 8.1 km    Ascent - 600 feet / 182 metres

Time - 3 hours 10 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - The Portway & Betchcott Hill from Picklescott
Click image to see photo description.

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.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1180 Pole Bank (Long Mynd) from Carding Millmoderate6.5 miles
Walk 1409 Haddon Hill and Bodbury Hilleasy/mod4.4 miles
Walk 2159 Lightspout Hollow, Pole Bank & Ashes Hollowmoderate7.3 miles
Walk 1097 Caer Caradoceasy/mod3.5 miles
Walk 3308 Ragleth and the Long Myndmod/hard11.0 miles
Walk 3449 Ragleth, the Long Mynd & Ratlinghopehard18.0 miles
Walk 1374 Lightspout Waterfall and Pole Bankeasy/mod5.8 miles
Walk 2745 Betchcott Hills & Pole Bankmoderate9.0 miles
Walk 1205 Adstone Hill, Medlicott and the Long Myndmoderate9.5 miles
Walk 1832 The Hollies & Poles Coppice from near Habberleyeasy/mod5.0 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Hillwalking in Shropshire

Hillwalking in ShropshireGuidebook 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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