Best walks to or from Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Station to Telford Central Station

A very long rural route across open Shropshire countryside and country lanes, following the Shropshire Way, the Telford T50 trail and the Hutchison Way in places and with woodland near Telford and a short urban stretch through Wellington. Field crossings can be muddy in winter and some are ploughed or under crops; quite a few stiles and a few short uphill sections. Follows the Shropshire Way, the Telford T50 50 Mile Trail and the Hutchison Way; can be split at Wellington, which has rail and bus links.

30km.

Quite a few stiles. The path around the base of Haughmond Hill can be badly overgrown with brambles and nettles. A short section of the Shropshire Way by the River Severn in Shrewsbury floods in winter (avoidable via NCN 81). No pavements along the busy main roads, so road walking is on quiet lanes. Can be muddy.

Lunch: Wellington at the mid-point has many cafes, pubs and takeaways; benches by the church at Roddington make a good picnic spot.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Church Stretton Station to Shrewsbury Station

exhilarating and elemental, beautiful, magical final stage. A long, beautiful walk through varied countryside, agricultural land and country lanes, skirting the A49 but often feeling far from the road. Many stiles, lots of them flooded or boggy after rain, with wide open fields, a nature reserve covered in wild garlic and a magical final climb into the hills above the Strettons before dropping down. Follows the Shropshire Way out of Bayston Hill and passes through a nature reserve covered in wild garlic; passes the churches at Stapleton and Dorrington.

Tough: 27km. Moderate ascents.

After heavy rain many fields, stiles and footbridges flood and become boggy, though generally still passable. Some middle sections are overgrown with crops and poorly waymarked, with one section impassable and needing a road detour. Care crossing the busy A49 at Sleights Bridge. Can be muddy.

Lunch: Pubs at Dorrington and Leebotwood.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Shrewsbury Station to Wem Station

Tough: 26km. Moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Welshpool Station to Shrewsbury Station

A long and flat route making use of the Severn Way, following the river closely. It is easy to follow with lots of cattle and includes about 4km of pavement walking along the B4380 at the Shrewsbury end. A good flatter alternative to more direct hilly routes. Makes use of the Severn Way, following the River Severn. Pub and camping roughly halfway, otherwise nowhere to get supplies.

39km.

Lots of cows along the riverside fields.

Lunch: Pub and camping about halfway, otherwise nowhere to get a snack or supplies.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route