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Where to walk this winter
Shropshire has some of the best known walking trails in the UK, from Offa's Dyke on the western border to the Shropshire Way, which covers the wild Shropshire Hills and a number of historic towns.
Walking is a great way to get some exercise during the winter months and although it can often take a little bit more effort to drag ourselves outside when the weather is frosty, that effort is great for health and wellbeing.
Many of our nature reserves can either be visited for a short walk, but if you feel more adventurous, they can be included as part of much longer hikes. Thousands of people visit The Wrekin each month to climb to the summit. Why not start your hike at the The Ercall nature reserve and wind your way through one of Shropshire's best geological sites and woodlands full of wildlife before starting the steep Wrekin walk? Or if you plan a walk along The Stiperstones Ridge and want to escape the crowds, take a short detour from the main trail and head to one of 3 Shropshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves adjacent to the ridge.
Below are some suggestions of our nature reserves to visit by hiking area.
The Stiperstones Area
The rocky ridge of The Stiperstones extends south of Habberley (near Pontesbury) for 8km and is criss-crossed with trails. There is also a tarmacked easy-access track from the main car park. As well as a wander to the top for all-round views of Shropshire's hills, the rocky outcrops are also well worth exploring.
Our nature reserves in this area:
Oswestry Hills Area
Often overlooked as a hiking destination, the hills west of Oswestry have the highest concentration of Shropshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves in the county. Some of those reserves are only small, but they are conveniently linked up by nearby walking routes.
Telford Area
Telford maybe known as the birthplace of industry, but it has some key nature areas, all of which are easily reachable from nearby residential areas.
South Shropshire
Our largest nature reserve, Catherton Common is worth visiting at any time of the year and is connected to the trails to the summit of the Clee Hills. An alternative walking option nearby is Whitcliffe Common, which can be accessed straight from Ludlow town centre for some respite. One of our wildest reserves is Rhos Fiddle, a few miles out of Clun. This hilltop is a great example of an upland heath and is the ideal place to go for some tranquility.
We manage 40 nature reserves, for wildlife to call home and for people to visit and enjoy. For a full list of nature reserves, check out our reserves webpages here.
You can support our work to protect and restore Shropshire's wild places by becoming a member here.