This is one of the best hill walks in Shropshire, but there are plenty more. Step out on an eight-mile walk along the\u00a0charming Long Mynd<\/a> near Church Stretton, or make your way to the summit of Caer Caradoc<\/a> and its ancient hill fort \u2013 thought to date from either the Iron Age or Late Bronze Age.<\/p>\n 3.8 miles\/6.1km | 312m accent | 2.5 hours | moderate<\/em><\/p>\n 1. Steep start<\/strong><\/p>\n From the Shropshire Wildlife Trust car park, turn right on to the road signed to Shrewsbury, then immediately turn left on to a wide track, which climbs up through the trees.<\/p>\n Follow the track around to the right, to reach a junction. Turn sharp right to remain on this wide track, climbing up to a dwelling on the right. Known as Halfway House, this is occasionally open for light refreshments. Pass through a gate and continue ahead, climbing gently, before turning sharp left.<\/p>\n Discover more great walks in Shropshire<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> 2. From hell\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n The track breaks out from the trees to reach the outer earthwork ramparts of the hillfort, known as Hell\u2019s Gate. This was the tribe\u2019s first defensive barrier, probably only an earth bank, built sometime during the first millennium BC.<\/p>\n The route up here was busy with local people from surrounding farmsteads, who came to the hillfort to trade their wares and gather for community activities and festivals. Later, during the 18th century, summer fairs were held here, with boat rides, gingerbread and ale stalls.<\/p>\n Follow the path as it levels briefly before climbing again. Pause to consider the views behind you over the local town of Wellington as you climb.<\/p>\n 3. \u2026To heaven<\/strong><\/p>\n Shortly after, the path climbs steeply again, rising through the inner earth ramparts, known as Heaven\u2019s Gate. Constructed around 400BC, this earth rampart was topped with tall wooden fencing, while guardhouses protected the main entrance to the Cornovii community, where today\u2019s track passes through the embankment. During excavations in 1939 and 1973, fragments of Iron Age pottery and remains from Cornovii tribe\u2019s wooden huts were uncovered.<\/p>\n At the summit, take time to savour the 360-degree panoramic views, with the help of the toposcope to pinpoint key landmarks, hills and the Welsh mountains. Listen out for ravens, buzzards and the occasional peregrine falcon, too.<\/p>\n You may also like:<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> 4. Needle\u2019s Eye<\/strong><\/p>\n Ahead, you\u2019ll see a rocky outcrop. Bear left here (take care, there are steep drops) to glimpse the Needle\u2019s Eye, a cleft in the rockface that, according to local folklore, was created when two giant brothers were having an argument and one pushed his spade into ground here. Another local tradition suggests lovers who could scramble through the gap together, thus \u201cthreading the needle\u201d would later enjoy a trouble-free marriage.<\/p>\n Return to the main path and continue south-west, descending on a narrower path. This continues to offer good views of Shropshire before dropping below the tree line again. Take care, as this whale-back ridged section is steep in places.<\/p>\n 5. Woodland wander<\/strong><\/p>\n At a crossing track, turn left on to a permissive path that climbs gently, briefly, before undulating through the wooded lower slopes, to reach a junction with a footpath.<\/p>\n Turn left and follow this for about a mile, along the edge of the wood, eventually reaching a junction, which you should recognise from earlier. Turn right here and retrace your steps back to the car park.<\/p>\n Shropshire fidget pie recipe<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Shropshire fidget pie is one of the county\u2019s best-known regional dishes and is commonly made using apples, bacon or gammon, and Shropshire potatoes. Rustle up this tasty pie for a warming meal in autumn and winter.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> The Wrekin walking route and map<\/a><\/p>\n How to get there<\/strong><\/p>\n The Wrekin lies south-west of the ancient market town of Wellington, and east of Telford. Take the M54 to J7, and then the minor road south, signed towards Little Wenlock. The nearest train station is Wellington, under two miles away.<\/p>\n Find out more<\/strong><\/p>\n Shropshire Tourism www.shropshiretourism.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n Where to eat\/stay near The Wrekin<\/strong><\/p>\n The Huntsman of\u00a0Little Wenlock<\/span><\/p>\n This modern but cosy inn still offers a real log fire, local ales, a range of food to satisfy all appetites, and is only minutes away from The Wrekin.\u00a0www.thehuntsmanoflittlewenlock.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2013\/03\/Wrekin-Hill-07266af.jpg?quality=90&resize=617%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>The Wrekin walk<\/h2>\n
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<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>![\""The\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/09\/Peak-District-National-Park-8394f92.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Peak\\"")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>![\""Shropshire\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/09\/piebig-94f18bb.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"piebig-94f18bb\"\\"\/")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>The Wrekin map<\/h2>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2021\/01\/The-Wrekin-walking-route-and-map-64bbbac.png?quality=90&resize=618%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><\/a><\/h3>\nUseful Information about The Wrekin<\/h2>\n