the next ford where the track becomes a tarmac lane. Continue down the lane
through the houses to a junction with the main road at the bottom (GR459954).
Turn right and follow the main road straight on until the mini roundabout in
Church Stretton. Turn left and follow the road back to the car park and the end
of the ride.
All of this route can be plotted on OS Landranger 137 although there will be
some anomalies. From the start of the climb at Priors Holt, through the forest,
the OS map and the streetmap links give a good enough idea of where to go
without getting lost but some of the forest tracks seem to have changed
slightly. The permissive path around the back of the gliding club is not on the
map but it is on the ground. It may also be noted that the first singletrack climb
and final descent use footpaths and other unmarked tracks. I have included
these in my route because these are shown as concessional tracks in the
definitive trail guide available from the Tourist Information Centre.
through the houses to a junction with the main road at the bottom (GR459954).
Turn right and follow the main road straight on until the mini roundabout in
Church Stretton. Turn left and follow the road back to the car park and the end
of the ride.
All of this route can be plotted on OS Landranger 137 although there will be
some anomalies. From the start of the climb at Priors Holt, through the forest,
the OS map and the streetmap links give a good enough idea of where to go
without getting lost but some of the forest tracks seem to have changed
slightly. The permissive path around the back of the gliding club is not on the
map but it is on the ground. It may also be noted that the first singletrack climb
and final descent use footpaths and other unmarked tracks. I have included
these in my route because these are shown as concessional tracks in the
definitive trail guide available from the Tourist Information Centre.
This mountain bike route of 29miles traverses almost the
whole length of the Long Mynd ridge. It has some great
descents but with over 4600ft of ascent make sure you
take your climbing legs. The ride starts off in the centre of
Church Stretton, conveniently next to a Co-op and some
public toilets, at a pay and display car park which isn't
expensive.
1. Leave the car park (GR454936) from the exit by the
supermarket and turn right to the mini roundabout. At the
roundabout turn right then at the crossroads just after
continue straight on. After a little while take the road on
the left with the brown sign pointing to Carding Mill Valley
(GR453942). Climb up through the houses. As the lane
leaves the houses behind go almost to the far end of the
car park on the left then turn hard right on the singletrack
that climbs steeply back towards the entrance of the
valley. As it exits the valley follow the track left where it
flattens off and follows the fence on the right to a gate.
Go through the gate to a junction a short distance later
(GR451946).
2. Turn left and climb the steep doubletrack through the
golf course. The track flattens off after a bit and bears
right before a short kick up to the left to the top of the
climb. Bear slightly right and descend a short way towards
a small plateau (golf hole). Just before the doubletrack
comes to an end, as it reaches the plateau, turn right
along a thin track through the rough, marked by some low
whole length of the Long Mynd ridge. It has some great
descents but with over 4600ft of ascent make sure you
take your climbing legs. The ride starts off in the centre of
Church Stretton, conveniently next to a Co-op and some
public toilets, at a pay and display car park which isn't
expensive.
1. Leave the car park (GR454936) from the exit by the
supermarket and turn right to the mini roundabout. At the
roundabout turn right then at the crossroads just after
continue straight on. After a little while take the road on
the left with the brown sign pointing to Carding Mill Valley
(GR453942). Climb up through the houses. As the lane
leaves the houses behind go almost to the far end of the
car park on the left then turn hard right on the singletrack
that climbs steeply back towards the entrance of the
valley. As it exits the valley follow the track left where it
flattens off and follows the fence on the right to a gate.
Go through the gate to a junction a short distance later
(GR451946).
2. Turn left and climb the steep doubletrack through the
golf course. The track flattens off after a bit and bears
right before a short kick up to the left to the top of the
climb. Bear slightly right and descend a short way towards
a small plateau (golf hole). Just before the doubletrack
comes to an end, as it reaches the plateau, turn right
along a thin track through the rough, marked by some low
yellow posts (GR446952). Go around the right hand side of the low bank on the opposite side of the fairway. Turn left
and follow the low bank, keeping it on the left. Take the singletrack on the right that drops into the gully on the right. At
the junction in the bottom of the dip, before the trail kicks up to another bit of the golf course, turn left and descend the
fast, grassy singletrack down the right hand side of the gully. At the bottom go straight on at the gate to the rocky
doubletrack (GR452955).
and follow the low bank, keeping it on the left. Take the singletrack on the right that drops into the gully on the right. At
the junction in the bottom of the dip, before the trail kicks up to another bit of the golf course, turn left and descend the
fast, grassy singletrack down the right hand side of the gully. At the bottom go straight on at the gate to the rocky
doubletrack (GR452955).
3. Turn left onto this track then after a while bear right
over the stream to continue up the valley. Go past the thin
track that climbs away on the right and follow the track left
where it gives way to grass. Go across a small wooden
bridge to a junction where the trail starts climbing up to the
head of the valley (GR447961). Turn hard right and climb
the singletrack up the side of the valley. Keep straight on
up the climb then go through a few bends to where it
flattens off and comes to a junction at a small plateau.
Turn left and go straight up the short but steep slope.
Continue straight on at the top over a slightly boggy
section of trail to a junction with a wide trail, at the other
end (GR451961).
4. Turn left and climb the grassy double track. At the
over the stream to continue up the valley. Go past the thin
track that climbs away on the right and follow the track left
where it gives way to grass. Go across a small wooden
bridge to a junction where the trail starts climbing up to the
head of the valley (GR447961). Turn hard right and climb
the singletrack up the side of the valley. Keep straight on
up the climb then go through a few bends to where it
flattens off and comes to a junction at a small plateau.
Turn left and go straight up the short but steep slope.
Continue straight on at the top over a slightly boggy
section of trail to a junction with a wide trail, at the other
end (GR451961).
4. Turn left and climb the grassy double track. At the
junction at top of this short climb take the right hand fork. Go over the rocks and on to another junction a short
distance later. Take the left hand fork up the steeper slope for a long, gradual, grassy climb. Follow this track up to a
wide junction close to a fence that comes in from the right (GR440967).
5. Turn left on the rutted double track following the line of the ridge. Climb straight up this track then at the crest bear
right to a long left hander that leads to a four way junction at the top of Mott's Road (GR427958). Jink right and go
straight on along the wide gravel track. At the next a junction (GR424956), just before the main track turns left, go right
through the low wooden posts to continue following the track along the ridge line.
distance later. Take the left hand fork up the steeper slope for a long, gradual, grassy climb. Follow this track up to a
wide junction close to a fence that comes in from the right (GR440967).
5. Turn left on the rutted double track following the line of the ridge. Climb straight up this track then at the crest bear
right to a long left hander that leads to a four way junction at the top of Mott's Road (GR427958). Jink right and go
straight on along the wide gravel track. At the next a junction (GR424956), just before the main track turns left, go right
through the low wooden posts to continue following the track along the ridge line.
6. Follow this track straight on across two roads to stay on the ridge all the way to the
trig point at the summit of Pole Bank (GR414940). After the summit continue straight on
down a rocky track to a junction with the lane at the other end. Turn right onto the lane
and descend a short way to a stand of trees on the right in a dip. Directly after the trees
turn right into a car park (GR413937). Cut diagonally left across the car park and follow
the double track out the other side. This track soon points down hill for a fast, loose and
rocky descent. The track goes through a number of bends before bearing gently left for
a fast finish down to the gate at the bottom (GR403913).
7. After the gate and turn left onto the lane. Go
straight on at the next junction, with a lane on the
right. At the farm continue straight on through
the gate to follow the doubetrack below Long
Mynd, on the left. At the junction at the next farm
keep going straight on. The track eventually descends to a junction with a lane
(GR399912). Turn right and descend to the junction in Asterton a short
distance later. Turn left to continue underneath the hill. After following the
lane through a small wood go past a signposted steep and grassy BW on the
left then descend gently along the lane to a wide gravel track on the left,
(GR399912). Turn right and descend to the junction in Asterton a short
distance later. Turn left to continue underneath the hill. After following the
lane through a small wood go past a signposted steep and grassy BW on the
left then descend gently along the lane to a wide gravel track on the left,
climbing steeply up the flanks of Long Mynd (GR392893).
8. Turn left and climb this track back up the side of the hill. It is hard going but
doable, just. The track eventually flattens off and bears left to a junction
(GR392886). Turn left and climb the grassy doubletrack, keeping the fence on
the right. Continue straight on along this track to a junction just before the
glider club (GR402907). Follow the second track from the left that goes
around the back of the glider club, signed as the ‘Starboard Path’. The gravel
gives way to grass as the track descends through a dip. Climb out of the dip
then bear left to follow the line of the fence on the right, then bear right across
the lumpy grass. Pick up the gravel track a little while later to bear right
8. Turn left and climb this track back up the side of the hill. It is hard going but
doable, just. The track eventually flattens off and bears left to a junction
(GR392886). Turn left and climb the grassy doubletrack, keeping the fence on
the right. Continue straight on along this track to a junction just before the
glider club (GR402907). Follow the second track from the left that goes
around the back of the glider club, signed as the ‘Starboard Path’. The gravel
gives way to grass as the track descends through a dip. Climb out of the dip
then bear left to follow the line of the fence on the right, then bear right across
the lumpy grass. Pick up the gravel track a little while later to bear right
through a couple of bends to a junction with a lane (GR405918).
9. Turn left over the cattle grid then bear right through a ditch to follow the grassy trail to a junction a short distance
later. Take the first track on the right, a thin bit of singletrack that heads towards the lone tree at the top of valley. Just
before the tree drop through a quick right then left before riding through a stream and over a tricky rock section that
marks the start of the Minton Batch descent. Once past this the track becomes flowing, quite quick and off camber with
some roots and rocks thrown in. Follow the trail all the way down the valley, keeping to the left hand side of the stream
all the way to the farm at the bottom. Go straight on past the farm then across the stream to follow the tarmac along the
right hand side of the stream to a junction with another lane (GR424901).
9. Turn left over the cattle grid then bear right through a ditch to follow the grassy trail to a junction a short distance
later. Take the first track on the right, a thin bit of singletrack that heads towards the lone tree at the top of valley. Just
before the tree drop through a quick right then left before riding through a stream and over a tricky rock section that
marks the start of the Minton Batch descent. Once past this the track becomes flowing, quite quick and off camber with
some roots and rocks thrown in. Follow the trail all the way down the valley, keeping to the left hand side of the stream
all the way to the farm at the bottom. Go straight on past the farm then across the stream to follow the tarmac along the
right hand side of the stream to a junction with another lane (GR424901).
10. Turn right and follow the lane to a crossroad junction in the village of
Hamperley. Turn right and head straight up the tarmac. Go past a farm on the
right to the gate at the entrance to the forest (GR413894). A low gear is
required as this firetrack climbs all the way back to the top of the hill again,
although it is the easiest climb of the route. Stay on the main track, following it
through a series of bends. A long right hand bend leads to a flatter section
and then long left hand bend. Keep left and go past two fire tracks on the right
then a grassy track on the right. The track then climbs along the line of trees
on the right to a crossroad junction at the top (GR406903).
11. At the crossroad turn right and ride slightly down hill to a gate on the left. Go
through this gate and follow the grassy track in the direction of the glider club. There are
some helpful BW markers set into the grass. Near the road, on the left, there is a
junction marked with three blue arrows on a white circular plate set into the ground.
Follow the arrow pointing left to the road (GR403907). Cross the road and take the
previously ridden gravel track leading off to the right, signed as the ‘Starboard Path’
around the back of the glider club. As before follow this track all the way to the lane at
the far side of the glider club (GR405918).
12. Turn left over the cattle grid to the road junction then turn right to follow the lane
uphill. Follow this road for about 1 mile and at the bottom of the second descent go past
the previously visited car park by the stand of trees, on the left. Climb to the next
junction and turn left to climb the rocky trail back to the trig point at the summit of Pole
Bank (GR414940).
through this gate and follow the grassy track in the direction of the glider club. There are
some helpful BW markers set into the grass. Near the road, on the left, there is a
junction marked with three blue arrows on a white circular plate set into the ground.
Follow the arrow pointing left to the road (GR403907). Cross the road and take the
previously ridden gravel track leading off to the right, signed as the ‘Starboard Path’
around the back of the glider club. As before follow this track all the way to the lane at
the far side of the glider club (GR405918).
12. Turn left over the cattle grid to the road junction then turn right to follow the lane
uphill. Follow this road for about 1 mile and at the bottom of the second descent go past
the previously visited car park by the stand of trees, on the left. Climb to the next
junction and turn left to climb the rocky trail back to the trig point at the summit of Pole
Bank (GR414940).
13. From the summit go straight on and descend the track along the ridge.
Take the next track on the left (GR417946) and descend down the grassy
double track that steepens and becomes rocky. Go through the gate by the
house and onto some very patchy tarmac. Follow this lane down to a junction
at the bottom (GR401946). Go straight on to the next junction with a muddy
track on the left, at the farm, and follow the lane to the right. Go straight on
through the next gate and descend steeply through a dip in the road. Go
through the gate at the bottom and up a short, steep climb. Bear right over the
crest then go through a gate to follow the lane to a junction at the next farm
(GR393954).
Take the next track on the left (GR417946) and descend down the grassy
double track that steepens and becomes rocky. Go through the gate by the
house and onto some very patchy tarmac. Follow this lane down to a junction
at the bottom (GR401946). Go straight on to the next junction with a muddy
track on the left, at the farm, and follow the lane to the right. Go straight on
through the next gate and descend steeply through a dip in the road. Go
through the gate at the bottom and up a short, steep climb. Bear right over the
crest then go through a gate to follow the lane to a junction at the next farm
(GR393954).
14. Turn right and go through the metal gate to climb the steep double track through a couple of bends. At the top of
the bends the track straightens out,becomes less steep and turns muddy and grassy. Follow the line of trees on the
right to continue straight on past Priory Cottage on the right, where the track kicks up for a short distance to a gate.
After the gate follow the track over a crest for a gentle descent. Go through the muddy section at the bottom of the dip
then climb again as the track kicks up to the left. At the junction with the lane at the top go right to the next junction a
short distance later (GR421953).
15. Turn left onto the wide hardpack trail that follows the ridge line. At the junction with the low posts go left and
continue along the ridge to the junction at the top of Mott's Road (GR427958). Take the second track from the left to
bear slightly right, going past the right hand side of the maker post. Follow the track as it bears right around the line of
the hill, then bear left over the crest. After the crest go straight on down the rutted, grassy track to a wide junction near
a fence straight ahead (GR440967). At this point follow the wide grassy track that sweeps around to the right away
from the fence. It is then time to really put the hammer down on this undulating grassy track, although keep an eye out
for horses and walkers. Keep going straight on down the trail. After some distance go over the rock section, at speed
this can be tricky as it suddenly appears from nowhere. After the rocks follow the track over a small rise then drop
down a short descent to a junction in the bottom of the dip, just before the house on the left.
the bends the track straightens out,becomes less steep and turns muddy and grassy. Follow the line of trees on the
right to continue straight on past Priory Cottage on the right, where the track kicks up for a short distance to a gate.
After the gate follow the track over a crest for a gentle descent. Go through the muddy section at the bottom of the dip
then climb again as the track kicks up to the left. At the junction with the lane at the top go right to the next junction a
short distance later (GR421953).
15. Turn left onto the wide hardpack trail that follows the ridge line. At the junction with the low posts go left and
continue along the ridge to the junction at the top of Mott's Road (GR427958). Take the second track from the left to
bear slightly right, going past the right hand side of the maker post. Follow the track as it bears right around the line of
the hill, then bear left over the crest. After the crest go straight on down the rutted, grassy track to a wide junction near
a fence straight ahead (GR440967). At this point follow the wide grassy track that sweeps around to the right away
from the fence. It is then time to really put the hammer down on this undulating grassy track, although keep an eye out
for horses and walkers. Keep going straight on down the trail. After some distance go over the rock section, at speed
this can be tricky as it suddenly appears from nowhere. After the rocks follow the track over a small rise then drop
down a short descent to a junction in the bottom of the dip, just before the house on the left.
16. Turn right and cross the slightly boggy section to the
cut in the side of the valley. Near the end of the flat area
take the track that drops into the cutting on the left. The
track keeps to the right of the cutting and drops down a
nice rock section before coming out to a plateau. At the
end of this flat section, where the trail splits, turn right for a
sweet bit of singletrack that clings to the side of the hill and
twists its way to the valley floor.
17. At the junction at the bottom (GR448961) turn hard
left and follow the wide grassy track down through the
valley, keeping to the left hand side of the stream. The
track soon bears right and becomes hardpack. Follow the
track left at the ford. Continue down the valley and cross
This route crosses and can be combined with other routes from my site :
Long Mynd
Long Mynd and the Devils Chair
Long Mynd
Long Mynd and the Devils Chair
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