Shropshire Spring Walking Festivals

Whatever your walking ability, from gentle strolls to serious marathon scale hikes, there’s an event to suit every need over April and May. Discover areas of outstanding natural beauty, explore historical sites and find out more about Shropshire’s heritage.

BISHOP’S CASTLE

 

The annual Round and About Walks run between Bishop’s Castle and Clun and are taking place between 16th and 29th May 2023.  Their aim is for people to enjoy the walking and scenery and support their chosen charities. This circular ramble (23 miles) runs between Bishop’s Castle and Clun, taking in Bury Ditches, the Walcot Estate and bits of the Shropshire Way and Offa’s Dyke. It divides into a fairly gentle amble (10 miles), more challenging scramble (13 miles) and shorter distances if you choose.

This year the walks are raising funds for Blood Cancer UK and The Community College Bishop’s Castle.

CRAVEN ARMS

The Shropshire Way 80K Festival – A mammoth experience in the Shropshire Hills takes place on Saturday 1 April 2023.

The first weekend of April sees hundreds of runners and walkers coming to the Shropshire Hills to take part in our event which showcases the wonderful food, history and landscape of this fascinating area.

 

The festival is a fundraiser for Grow Cook Learn, the charity which operates the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, and all money raised will be used to support the charity’s goals. This year, the money will be used to support the delivery of our education programme, teaching children from inner-city areas about how their food is grown.

 

For 2023, there is a choice of five events; the SW80K– 50 miles in 24 hours; the Mammothon– a full-distance trail marathon with a generous 12-hour time limit; the Half-Mammothon, 13 miles with a 6-hour limit, Tusker’s 10K, 6.5 miles in 4 hours and the brand-new “How Welsh Dare You Go?”, choose your own distance on the Heart of Wales Line Trail.

 

Entry fees include free parking, great local food & drink throughout, first-aid services, a rescue vehicle, trackers for the three longer events, a certificate of achievement and an SW80K Festival memento. All events have a fun and friendly atmosphere and are enjoyed by everyone from the hardcore ultra-runners gunning for a course record to walkers just trying to complete within the time.

 

Visit their website or follow the event’s own Facebook page.

IRONBRIDGE

• Morning, afternoon and evening walks.
• Children (under 18) are welcome on our walks if accompanied by a parent, guardian or a responsible adult.
• Dog friendly walks. Friendly and experienced walk leaders who are passionate about walking and who love the area.
• Medals for completing 25, 50, 75 or 100 miles, over 3 or more walks, during the nine days. A certificate for every walker and a medals ceremony on the last day of the Festival at the All Nations Inn from 4.30pm.

Walks are planned so that you can achieve any of the distance medals over the two weekends of the Festival, including Bank Holiday Monday. It’s a great opportunity to experience the beautiful landscape of the Gorge, learn about its industrial heritage and even climb The Wrekin, one of Shropshire’s famous landmarks which offers a bird’s eye view of the Gorge.

WHITCHURCH

 

The Whitchurch Walking Festival takes place over 13-15 May. The programme is taking shape and will be published later this month. Details can be found here.