Start/Finish: Church Stretton OS453938 Total distance: 22.2km Time: 3-7 hours Maps: Ordnance Survey OL217: The Long Mynd & Wenlock Edge 1:25,000 Route summary: Some severe ascents are matched by equally brilliant descents. If you’re left wanting more, head up through Prior’s Holt for a final fling over Minton Hill. Start at the crossroads in the centre of Church Stretton. Head north following signs for Carding Mill Valley and turn left towards the NT car park, then turn right following signs to the golf course. The road hairpins right before climbing steeply through the houses. At the junction bear left to the golf course and go through the small slatted gate to the right of the clubhouse. Follow the scrap of singletrack under the trees to the next path junction, then follow the bridleway as it turns left and begins the monstrously steep climb between the greens. Once you top out and have taken your fill of the view, follow the track keeping a careful eye out for marker posts that cross the green to the unsigned bridleway descending from the right. Drop steeply down the right-hand side of the valley, turning left after the gate to follow the river upstream. Pass the bottom of the Batch but continue along the river to meet the bottom of the obvious track that’s coming down to join you. Hairpin right and start to climb, proceeding past the top of the Batch to the road. Turn left as the climb slackens and then left again to follow the bridleway to the Port Way. Shortly before Pole Bank trig point, take the bridleway to the right and descend all the way to Medlicott Cottage. Rejoin the road to Manor Farm, where you turn left and follow the road for 2km, passing the turning to Wentnor and then taking the next bridleway left. Climb very steeply up the escarpment to top out opposite Minton Batch, marked with a fingerpost. Follow this bridleway to its obvious conclusion, a descent of 4km, then turn left along the road to return to Church Stretton via Minton and Little Stretton.by ocoutts
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