Shropshire's singletrack secrets — mountain biking on the Welsh border

Mountain Biking Collection by Barney

Tours

19:08 h

131 mi

15,350 ft

In the minds of many, Shropshire is defined as much by what it isn't as what it is: it's not quite Wales, it isn't quite the North, it doesn't have any cities, or any motorways running through it. But that's not to its detriment. It's a little corner of quintessentially English countryside; a county of steep hills, close, wooded valleys and small towns which almost feels a little detached from the rest of the country. It's utterly lovely — and it boasts some astonishingly fine mountain biking.

Perhaps the centre for any two-wheeled off-road activity is Church Stretton, at the foot of the Long Mynd — and with good reason. The riding here is truly exceptional, with excellent climbs and descents to cater to any palate. The Minton Batch descent, in particular, has been revered for decades as a mountain biking classic, but don't be fooled — this is far from the only exceptional descent that the Long Mynd (or indeed, Shropshire as a whole) has to offer. Two of the Tours here start at Church Stretton, and it says much that, although they're both substantial in length, there's very little cross-over.

Ranging a little wider, this Collection boasts Tours which dip their toes into Wales (Stone Circles and Stiperstones) in the west, and Worcestershire (Up to the Wyre) in the east, and they offer something for everyone from riverside family pootles to blood-pumping adrenaline-fests.

The people of Shropshire seem to have a natural affinity for mountain biking; a surprising number of world-class riders hail from the region. Perhaps the geography has engendered a natural desire to get out and explore the woods and hills of the area — you'll feel the same once you've tasted the riding that Shropshire has to offer.

On The Map

Tours & Highlights

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
The Long Mynd and Minton Batch — Shropshire's singletrack secrets
02:20
16.2 mi
6.9 mph
2,075 ft
2,075 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
The Long Mynd (which means ‘long Mountain’) is a hill which runs roughly north to south smack bang in the middle of Shropshire. And it’s a little slice of heaven for mountain bikers, for reasons which will become abundantly clear as soon as you roll tyres over it.

This ride starts off by getting the steepest…
by Barney
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Church Stretton, Hope Bowdler and Mynd — Shropshire's singletrack secrets
02:53
17.9 mi
6.2 mph
2,575 ft
2,550 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
This Tour dips into a few of the glorious trails which surround Church Stretton. These ones, though, are somewhat less traveled than the renowned Minton Batch and the like to the south of the town. That's not to say that the Long Mynd doesn't feature heavily, mind you - not does it mean that the trails…
by Barney
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stone circles and Stiperstones — Shropshire's singletrack secrets
03:04
19.9 mi
6.5 mph
2,175 ft
2,175 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
This Tour is as interesting for its sights as its trails. It skirts (or goes through the middle of) some of the more fascinating aspects of Shropshire’s landscape, and dips its toes into Wales. Stone circles, weird geological formations, ancient forts; it’s got the lot.

The ride starts just before Mitchell…
by Barney
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Up to the Wyre — Shropshire's singletrack secrets
03:41
28.1 mi
7.6 mph
2,575 ft
2,575 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
This is one of those rides which can go on for much longer if you want it to, and a couple of locations are also home to a variety of fantastic trails for a variety of disciplines. Ribbesford hosts some DH orientated trails (although many of them are rideable by mere mortals) and Wyre Forest has a selection…
by Barney
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Low-level Ludlow — Shropshire's singletrack secrets
01:05
8.32 mi
7.7 mph
700 ft
675 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.
If you're after a route which doesn't tax the legs or the lungs too much, then this is it. A pretty, short amble through some lovely countryside, with plenty of places to stop for a snack or a drink.

This route just outside Ludlow is a perfect place to take a family on a brief off-road jaunt without taxing…
by Barney
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Clee Burf — Shropshire's singletrack secrets
02:59
20.2 mi
6.8 mph
2,525 ft
2,525 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
The somewhat strangely named Clee Hills (for there are a few, it's very confusing) offer locals some excellent opportunities for cross-country style riding. By which I mean substantial distance, plenty of climbs, good views and rewarding natural descents.

This ride is three loops long, and as such, it…
by Barney
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
South of Clun and Hopton Woods — Shropshire's singletrack secrets
03:06
20.4 mi
6.6 mph
2,775 ft
2,775 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Just south of Clun is a wonderful mass of trails, and of course the marvellous Hopton Wood. As it stands, this route is not particularly technical, despite the terrain. It's a smooth blend of doubletrack, relatively straightforward singletrack and the odd bit of tarmac, but there's plenty of scope to…
by Barney
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