SW80k

Shropshire Way 80K route summary, 80km 24-hour time limit

Not for the faint hearted, this epic route provides a stunning trail through Shropshire’s highest peaks, ancient woodlands, market towns, hillforts, castles and river valleys. With over 2000m of elevation, this is a classic route for hard-core trail runners or intrepid walkers. We promise incredible scenery, great food and drink and a friendly Shropshire welcome at our checkpoints. Completing this challenge will provide memories to last forever.

Leaving the Discovery Centre, you head up onto the limestone escarpment of Wenlock Edge before turning north through farmland, passing through Acton Scott, the home of BBC’s Victorian Farm. You then climb Ragleth Hill, with views over the Long Mynd, your next challenge.

Passing through the quaint village of Little Stretton and your first refreshment stop, you head up the stunning Smallbatch valley, to reach Pole bank, the highest point on the iconic Long Mynd. The route then takes you down into the hamlet of Bridges and its eponymous pub, and up onto Stiperstones with its mystical jagged rock formations including the fabled Devil’s Chair, which at 536 metres, is the highest point on the whole route. After summiting here, you will find victuals at the Bog Centre, the next checkpoint. The next climb is that of Linley Hill with its avenue of ancient beech trees before you drop down to the ancient market town of Bishop’s Castle, home to two breweries and numerous pubs including the fantastic Castle Hotel where you will find a watering station. Please resist the temptations here as you still have lots of work to do!

Next, you head East beneath the Kerry ridgeway to your next feeding station at Reilth Top and on to the tiny hamlet of Churchtown where the route joins Offa’s Dyke Path. A vicious climb out of the valley is rewarded by the fact that you are now following one of the best-preserved sections of the Dyke, King Offa’s eponymous Saxon earthwork, as it winds through the enchanting borderlands.

Several sharp ascents bring you to the top of “Cefns”, Welsh for “ridge”, with fantastic views and an incomparable descent along the wide, grassy ridge into the Clun Valley and your final refuelling station in the town of Clun, one of A.E. Housman’s “quietest places under the sun”. The ruins of the ancient castle still dominate this lovely small town.

The final section of your route takes you high above the Clun valley and over the massive Iron-Age hill fort known as Bury Ditches, whose earthworks were only recently discovered when the great storm of 1987 blew down the trees which for centuries had hidden its secrets. You then pass through the ancient woodland of Walcott Wood before your final lung busting climb takes you on to Hopesay Hill, home to wild ponies and red kites. From here you should be able to smell your breakfast cooking as it’s an easy final few kilometres down to journey’s end and breakfast at the Discovery Centre.

Entries for 2025 will be opening soon.