Shropshire walks: Pontesford & Earl’s Hill

Having spent the last year or so climbing Munros, I was looking forward to a smaller hill. I was not expecting that this little hill was going to be such a steep incline all the way! It was a hill fort historically, which would explain the benefit of having a tough approach – and the views from the top were lovely.

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We had gone to a local bakery (Hignetts) first to buy some snacks for the trip. We headed along the road from there turning onto a footpath that lead us to the start of the trail.

The initial ascent was bearable, until we got to a left hand turn off which then took us straight up to the top. It was efficient; just steep. Most of the ascent is in a forest and the ground has many roots and rocks to help you to climb without slipping.

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Eventually, the path flattens out a little and you come through the last of the trees to a gate which leads to the top of the hill. There is a trig point there for those who love a trig.

It was a cloudy day and quite windy but the views were wonderful regardless

From here we decided to continue on, and go down the other side of the hill. This side was steeper, and without helpful tree roots to hold the ground in place. We took a zig-zag approach so as not to take a tumble.

Stiperstones ridge in the distance is where we were heading

Once at the bottom, we carried on through a small woodland and joined farm track which took us to the road. We decided to rest at at the Mytton Arms in Habberley for a refreshing drink.

Summary:

Very rewarding little Hill. The steepness of the ascent is worth it. You reach the top quickly where you can enjoy the 360 views across the Shropshire hills and into Wales. We were doing a much longer walk that day, and continued over the hills to the Stiperstones however I imagine there are plenty of ways to turn this into a loop that starts and finishes at the car park.

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