This section (and the next) take us up and over the Shropshire Hills, so we've planned shorter walks to allow for all the climbing, the longer transfer times to the middle of nowhere and less time out in exposed areas if the weather threatens.
The forecast was for freezing fog (great) which might or might not lift! We decided to go and look, our transfer drive through the hills would give the best indication.
We set off in murk, which then became murkier and then miraculously cleared as we reached the hills. By the time we'd done the transfer and were ready to walk, it was a glorious day.
Thankfully, the bearings and timings I'd attempted in case fog descended weren't going to be needed.
We'd walked into the Cardingmill Valley on the last section to get as close to the hills as possible, but we'd left plenty of the flatter section past the National Trust offices and Tea Room to warm our legs up for the climb.
This actually wasn't as bad as remembered - its a well worn path, so you don't have to worry about where to go - its just up! If that wasn't enough, the whole world seemed intent on ringing me on the way - I thought you lost signal in the hills!
Anyway, we finally made it to the top of Motts Road, where we bumped into another of our Ironbridge walking friends out recce'ing a walk for Bishop's Castle Walking Festival! Its a small world!
From the top of Motts Road, you wlk along the top of the Long Mynd ridge towards Shooting Box. This is a small green hillock which was most recently used as a shelter for shooting parties out on The Mynd, but was originally a Bronze Age burial mound.
Just below Shooting Box, you meet one of the few lanes crossing The Mynd, but you then head off down a bridleway, which gradually takes you down off The Mynd to Coates Farm. This starts as a wide grassy track - easy walking with super views (very exposed if weather nasty!). Eventually, it turns into more of a farm track - currently rather muddy - and you start to meet the odd tree as you lose height. It's a cracking route, easy to follow, on a clear day. We even spotted a Red Kite soaring!!
Finally, you reach Coates Farm and walk through the farm to head towards the Overs - Upper and Lower - two farms from what we could make out!
Here our pace slowed to accommodate the digger with huge caterpillar tracks that was filling the lane! We had no choice but to follow it all the way into Bridges. We finally managed to sneak past as the road widened by the pub, which seemed prophetic, so we stopped for coffee and our sandwiches!
After lunch, my promise of a gentle, undulating climb to Cranberry Rock was fulfilled, but not before the steep drag up to the Stiperstones cattle grid! I'd forgotten about that! The route follows the road, but it's still a pull up out of Bridges!
When you cross the cattle grid into the Stiperstones, the land opens up again, with the Long Mynd behind you, the Stiperstones in front of you, and big rolling hills all around. It's beautiful.
The lane takes you all the way to the car park at the base of Cranberry Rock, so you can fully enjoy the views as you walk! The weather was still lovely and we reached Cranberry Rock in good time.
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