Long Mynd

"The Long Mynd has various peaks the highest of which is Pole Bank at 516m. You can park at Carding Mill Valley, National Trust car park postcode: SY6 6JG which costs £7 a day for non-members. You can alternatively park within the town and walk your way there or drive up The Burway Road to the top for an easier hike. There are various routes through Cardingmill Valley, one takes you to the Pool Hollow reservoir where children and families like to take a dip in the summer when it’s hot and hardcore wild swimmers go even in winter. Further along the route you can veer left, along the stream towards Light Spout Waterfall, a lovely 4m fall. This trail is rocky and can be tricky in places. There is an alternative route to the right for an easier trail to the top of the hill. Shooting Box is one of sixteen Bronze Age burial mounds on the Mynd, named after a grouse shooting hut that used to stand on the land until 1992. Shooting Box is a rare bell barrow that dates to 1950-1700BC. It isn’t far from The Portway, a Neolithic route taken by traders some 5000 years ago, to avoid the wet valleys below. If you like stargazing, the Milky Way can be seen from this area of the Long Mynd. On top of the hills is a gliding club and it is quite a sight to watch them take off. The hills are also popular with mountain bikers with trails to excite and challenge all level riders. Church Stretton is a lovely little town to explore after a long walk with plenty of pubs and restaurants for a well-deserved meal and beer post hike."