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Walk up The Lawley

By Rik Henderson   

on February 10, 2020    5/5 (3)

Posted as a walk in – England, Europe, Shropshire

Walk up The Lawley

Route Essentials

Route Summary

A short route to the prominent Shropshire hill of The Lawley.

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

6.14 km

Ascent

234 m

Time

1.5-2.5 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

SO 50567 99065 - up the road from Church Stretton

Difficulty

Moderate Walk

Hazards

Other than the muddy section from the base of the hill back to the car park, this particular hill does not have any major hazards.

Weather Forecast:

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Walk up The Lawley Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Walk up The Lawley

The Lawley is a beautiful hill that lies North East of the more trodden and popular Long Mynd range in the Shropshire Hills AONB (Area of Outstaning Natural Beauty). Its sleek and beautiful crested shape can be fully appreciated from its neighbouring hill Caer Caradoc, a smooth spined and long peak that although fairly small, has a certain allure to it. Traveling from Shrewsbury I always consider this peak to be a gateway to the Shropshire hills, a little like Moel Siabod to Snowdonia, or Blencathra to the Lake District (depending on your direction of travel of course).

Standing on its 377m summit one can view the Wrekin to the North, Wenlock Edge and Brown Clee hill to the East, the dominant Caer Caradoc to its South and The Long Mynd and Stiperstones to the West. This easy 6km route offers a gentle grassy ridge walk with a satisfying summit, what more could you ask for?

1) From the car park take the obvious path that heads in a South westerly direction, through the gate and onto the trail that gains height up through the wooded area and onto the hill. The tree line soon disappears as you find yourself atop the first small plateau.

2) You can see the ridge continues along onto two distinct highpoints in the ridge that grow in size, remain on the same heading.

3) Climbing onto the first of the distinct tops you will see a small man-made structure, like satellite or beacon.

4) You then continue along and onto the final accent of the main peak, donning a wind vane and offering superb views of the surrounding area, a great spot to enjoy a flask of something hot and a bite to eat.

5) You now drop down, maintaining the same direction and now with Caer Caradoc in full view directly in front.

6) As you reach the bottom of the hill and pass through a gate you will see a track to your right that leads back in the direction of the car park, or North East.

7) Take this track and pass through the second gate and along this often muddy trail (used by off road vehicles and ATV’s from surrounding farms), for approximately 3km until you reach the road, bare right onto it and follow up and round to the car park.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

A short route to the prominent Shropshire hill of The Lawley.

Route Start Location: SO 50567 99065 - up the road from Church Stretton

Distance
Ascent
Time
6.14 km 234 m 1.5-2.5 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Moderate Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

Heading south along the A49 for a short distance will bring you to Church Stretton, plenty of eateries and drinking holes but The Kings Arms is particularly nice, especially on a summers day in their beer garden!

Hazards

Other than the muddy section from the base of the hill back to the car park, this particular hill does not have any major hazards.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking : SO 50567 99065

Available at start of walk

Public Transport:

None to start of the walk.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps

Guidebooks:

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Rik Henderson

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