The Shropshire Hills National Landscape (AONB) is about the same distance away from me as the Peak District. It is however a much easier drive as most is on the motorway. So I’m trying to explore this local National Landscape a little more. There might not be any Nuttalls for me to bag but there is a few Marilyns so I tried to take on a new one on this Sunday morning hike around Stiperstones (Carneddau Teon).
I will be honest I’m not entirely sure whether I can count this as ticked off the list. We’ll come onto that a little later though.
The Route
The second hike I tracked on Alltrails started from Snailbeach and this one was no different. Except rather than heading north around the Eastridge forest I headed south for the rocky landmarks scattered around the Stiperstones.
Hike Stats
Length
7.67 mi
Elev. gain
1,490 ft
Avg pace
23:27
Moving time
2:59:52
Total time
3:26:57
Morning views
It was day light by the time I reached the car park at Snailbeach village hall which was a little disappointing I had hoped to start earlier. The views still looked pretty good though. Towards the west stood the Welsh Berwyn mountain over the old mining building poking through the forest. To the east the summits that surrounding Carding Mill valley.
The day started off pretty clear however I could see the low clouds sweeping in from the south. I was well aware that I needed to make the most of any views early on. The Stiperstones at 1,759 feet are high in comparison to a lot of summits in the central parks of England. It does require pretty perfect conditions in order for it to stand above the clouds.
Although I did get to stop for a brew above the clouds I could sense I was heading up some of the clouds were following and overtaking me. Unfortunately the base of the clouds was sitting a bit below the summits.
It does add something to the atmosphere of a hike when you can watch the forests on the hillsides become engulfed by the clouds.
The paths that link up the rocky sections are also pretty rocky themselves. I like this type of path, I do try to move faster on flatter section and I enjoy the concentration that it takes to moves a bit quicker over uneven slippy surfaces.
Can I count that I bagged this trig point?
If I’m being honest with myself I’m not sure if I can. I did reach the within a few foot of the trig point but the rocks were pretty slippy so I just took as an almost bagging a Marilyn. Although I will probably tick it off the list but with an asterisk.
I do think that I need to spend a little more time in the Shropshire Hills or at least maybe over this autumn winter hiking season mix it up between here and the Peak District. Although I did start this year with a target of hitting 80 Nuttalls, and I’m still 13 off so for the next few weeks at least maybe I’ll try and tick of some of the closer 2000 feet plus summits.
Stay weird, stay kind, stay awesome ✌