Cycling out into the Shropshire countryside

Exploring the Shropshire Hills area by bike, along quiet country lanes and amongst fantastic scenery, will give you a real feel for the countryside and allow you to stop and visit our market towns and villages on the way. Six circular routes starting from the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre have been created for you. With our bike stands, you can start or end your journey with a visit to the Centre, where you can see our Shropshire Hills Through Time exhibition or pop in for a bite to eat – ask the cafe staff to wrap up a sandwich to take with you.
If you would like to download one of the rides, please go to http://www.shropshiresgreatoutdoors.co.uk/cycling

Here is an outline of what is available:

The Church Stretton Saddle Shiner

Distance 16 miles, allow 2.5 hours: Pass Flounders Folly and admire Wenlock Edge and Acton Scott, and then return to Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre.

The Acton Scott Activator

Distance 13 miles, allow 2.5 hours: Head on from Acton Scott to Church Stretton, then return to Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre through Little Stretton, skirting the Long Mynd.

The Long Mynd Motivator

Distance 30 miles, allow at least 5.5 hours: Why take the easy option? Instead of skirting Long Mynd, climb up it! Follow the route of the Jack Mytton Way and then head back down to Craven Arms through Plowden.

The Hopesay Hop

Distance 14 miles, allow 2.5 hours: Cycle out to Wart Hill, the site of an Iron Age hill fort, then down the valley to Aston on Clun and Twitchen and back to Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre.

The Bury Ditches Dynamo

Distance 27 miles, allow at least 4 hours, partly off road on forest tracks: A stunning 27 miles circular route from the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre taking around four hours. The route takes in Bury Ditches Iron Age Hillfort, Clun and Clungunford. It is hilly but easily achievable in a day. Partly off road on forest tracks, so not suitable for racing bikes.

The Bishop’s Castle Cracker

Distance 30 miles, allow 5 hours: A stunning 30-mile circular route from the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre taking around five hours. The route takes in Bishop’s Castle, Clun and Clungunford. It is hilly but easily achievable in a day. This route misses out the forest tracks (and very steep hill) at Bury Ditches.

The Discovery Centre is located alongside the Sustrans route 44, linking it with Bishop’s Castle and Shrewsbury. There is a railway station just two minutes’ ride from the Centre, so getting here is easy!