Our county of Shropshire can provide some of the most beautiful scenery and pleasant rural surroundings that any walker could wish for.

Now that the weather is a little more amenable, there can be nothing more satisfying and enjoyable than taking a stroll amongst our beautiful countryside when our busy lives allow it.

some simple tips
Often, you do not need to be kitted up with sturdy walking boots, gaters, waterproofs (although weather dependant, these can be handy!), walking poles, a compass, rucksack, OS map and a labrador retriever! However, it is generally recommended to wear sensible footwear, pack a light jacket, some snacks and water, as well as some form of photographic equipment to snap shot some of the scenic views that can be experienced on a clear day.

Many of the surrounding Shropshire hills already feature clearly waymarked paths (some colour-coded in levels of difficulty and distance), and bridleways, taking some of the orienteering aspects out of the walk, but making it easy to follow the route, without the fear of getting lost!
But if it is the ‘walking without a care’ attitude that you are looking for, then there are also plenty of opportunities to develop your own unique route (but recommended to still follow some map or guidance to ensure you stick to public access areas and footpaths if nothing else!)

So, where to go? Well, to the north you have the rugged ridges of Grinshill, Nesscliffe and the canal networks around Market Drayton. Also, there is the picturesque Hawkstone Park and Follies which is well worth a visit (however, it is advised to take some money for entry fee and a torch if wishing to visit the caves!). Towards the east is the Wrekin, which can be slightly challenging for the ‘not-so-fit’, but well worth the wonderful views from the top on a clear day. Edging south of the Severn lies the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where there a numerous choices for the adventurous walker! The Wenlock Edge offers easy walking but good views of meadows, streams and the surrounding farmland, whilst the vaster and steeper Clee Hills (from Bridgnorth to the Titterstone Clee near Ludlow) offers a variety of routes, and fantastic views to the south of the county.

Then we must mention the wonderful Stretton Hills, the Long Mynd and Caer Caradoc, of which this area of beauty challenges any found in North Wales.The fabulous rising crest of the Stretton can be accessed via the quaint town of Church Stretton, and provides numerous opportunities for picnicking and paddling in the many meandering streams, ever popular with families, kite-flyers, and spotters of hand gliders.Caer Caradoc can be very challenging, especially if climbing from the south as the slopes here are practically vertical, but the view from the top gives a wonderful view of the undulating valleys of the Long Mynd, and contains some prehistoric remnants for those with a keen history interest.