Marcher Castles Way full route

Marcher Castles Way begins in the historic town of Shrewsbury, where medieval streets and rich history, both real and fictional, set the scene. From here, the route winds through quiet lanes and scenic off-road sections, passing the Roman ruins of Wroxeter and the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution at Ironbridge. Riders then tackle the mythic Wenlock Edge, enjoying stunning views from Much Wenlock to the top of the Clee Hills, with sweeping vistas over Wales and England. After a descent into Ludlow, known for its historic charm and excellent food, the trail leads through forests and alongside rivers, passing picturesque villages and ancient castles before crossing into Wales at Presteigne.

The adventure continues along Offa’s Dyke, following the historic Mercian border with breathtaking landscapes and prehistoric sites all around. You'll pass through the castle-dotted village of Clun before climbing onto the ancient Kerry Way, which takes you deeper into Wales along scenic ridges. The route offers a mix of history and natural beauty, with highlights like the ruins of Dolforwyn Castle and the town of Montgomery with its craggy fortress.

As you approach the Shropshire Hills, the terrain becomes more dramatic, with climbs up Cordon Hill, Stiperstones, and the Long Mynd offering rewarding views and thrilling descents. The route then dips into the picturesque spa town of Church Stretton. After one last climb at Caer Caradoc, the journey isn’t over, as beautiful, quiet country roads and ancient sites like Langley Chapel and Acton Burnell Castle lead you back to the storied streets of Shrewsbury to complete the loop.

Important trail information

We meticulously research check the rights of way legality of every route as part of the planning process to try and ensure that we only use existing rights of way. That means any ‘Private road’ or similar signs that you might meet should only apply to mechanically propelled traffic. There may be occasional short sections where access rights are more complex. The only section you’ll need to dismount and walk is a couple of hundred metres of footpath next to Offas Dyke, south of Montgomery.

We also physically check the access reality on the ground. In this case that unfortunately meant removing some promising looking off road sections near the Wrekin, Titterstone Clee and between Mortimer Forest and Knighton that were too overgrown with nettles and brambles, washed out from storms, still sticky and wet even in summer - or in several cases all three - to be recommended as rideable.

Terrain 

Marcher Castles Way uses a wide range of surfaces from silk smooth road through speedy grave sections, grassy farm tracks and a few steep, rocky climbs and descents. Wherever possible we’ve used roads and good gravel surfaces to get you as close to summits as we can, but don’t be surprised if winching turns to walking by the top. Most of the off road sections have been recce’d and chosen to ride well in all weathers too, but expect some soft and slow parts if it’s been wet for a while.

The big gain from the nature of this route is access to a surprisingly wild and remote adventure experience right on the doorstep of millions of people in the Midlands. It does mean less experienced riders or those who like a gentle cruise not a physical challenge will probably prefer the Rebellion Way or Cantii Way routes.

Bike - MTB or gravel bike?

This is always the most common question in any comments relating to our on/off road routes and the short answer is it really depends on what sort of rider you are and what sort of ride you want. In terms of technical terrain, there is only one section where you might have to walk with a gravel bike which is around 10m of particularly pointy rocks near the descent into Church Stretton and a drop bar bike with big tyres will take the vast majority of the route in it’s stride. That’s obviously also the most efficient, easy rolling option on all the road sections too and will certainly feel like the right choice as far as Much Wenlock.

Even a lightly loaded, low geared gravel bike is going to require iron resolve and legs of steel once you get far beyond Ironbridge though. Fatter, grippier mountain bike tyres will also give you more control and comfort on the off road sections particularly if the weather has been wet.

Whatever you ride the first half of the route is very well served for excellent bike shops and there are bike shops in Knighton, Newtown and Church Stretton too. Be sure to be as self sufficient with spares and skills as possible though as you could be faced with a long push to cycle salvation otherwise.

Navigation 

Marcher Castles Way is not formally way marked. However it does follow other signposted paths like the Jack Myton Way for several sections though and also hops on and off parts of the National Cycle Network.

Otherwise using a GPS computer or smartphone loaded with the GPX file of the route is the easiest way to stay on track. We’d always recommend taking a pre marked physical map in case of an electric hiccup though.

Kit and safety

How much kit you take with you and whether you camp or check into boutique B&Bs obviously depends on the experience you want to have. Be aware that there are several sections of remote, exposed high ground in an area notorious for it’s changeable weather. Getting caught here with a mechanical issue or weather conditions you’re not prepared for could become a very serious situation very quickly. That means taking spare layers and a good shell jacket are essentials even in summer and we’d add a survival blanket if there’s even a remote chance of really bad weather. Pack bike spares (including lube and spare brake pads) and a first aid kit and make sure you know how to use both and always have more food and drink than you think you’ll need, just in case. That’s particularly important between Clun and Newtown and Montgomery and Church Stretton, where you’ll be away from shops and pubs for long stretches.

While phone coverage is generally good, be sure to let someone know your itinerary and likely timings if you’re travelling solo and we’d always suggest sharing the journey with others for safety and social reasons. 

Top tips

• Ride responsibly: Show respect for all other users and take care of the environment
• Leave no trace: Practice low impact cycling. Don’t skid, follow existing paths, ride through puddles rather than widening tracks and avoid muddy trails where possible. Never leave litter and clear up rubbish from other users too.
• Control your bike: Stay focused, check your speed and think about other people.
• Avoid disturbing animals: Farm pet and wild animals can all be startled by sudden noise. Always be considerate, give them a wide berth and leave gates as you find them.
• Plan ahead: Know your bike, your equipment, your ability and be aware of the terrain you’re riding on. Be prepared for severe weather and potential mechanical issues.
• Always give way: Let people know you’re coming with a bell, whistle or cheery hello. Pass wide and slow particularly with horse riders. Approach blind corners and descents carefully. Be Nice, Say Hi!