Ironbridge Moderate to Hard Walk

Event going ahead: Please be assured that this event can go ahead as from the 29th March we can have groups on outdoor activities.

Walk on two days: We have kept the maximum number down to 6 on this walk but Trevor

has kindly agreed to lead this walk on both the Saturday and the Sunday. If one if full try the other day. 

This circular walk is about 9 miles with about 350m of climbing. This is a good time of year to do this walk as the trees won't be in full bloom yet allowing the fine views to be more clearly seen. The going is on well made up tracks and paths and free of mud, but hard under foot so boots will be needed. 

Setting off from the car park, we follow the river gorge to the village of Jackfield, famous for its ceramics and on to the Iron Bridge then head up through Benthall Woods following the Shropshire Way. These woods are full of evidence of earlier lime making and charcoal pits as well as mature deciduous trees. This is where we do most of our going uphill as we climb out of the Severn Gorge.

Cresting the hill we pass Benthall Hall (National Trust) and on to the village of Broseley where we will stop briefly for refreshment and toilets. We then carry on using an old track that led to china clay pits and a porcelain works. This presents us with fine open views southwards before descending to join a disused railway track that will lead us back to our start, where we can recover in the café or nearby pub. 

There are local attractions, such as the numerous museums and village of Ironbridge, where you can extend their day. (Your car park ticket is valid at all museum car parks). 

There are toilets at the start in the YHA and on the route about half way round.