The best hills to walk in the Shropshire Hills are The Wrekin near Telford, Caer Caradoc and The Lawley above Church Stretton, The Long Mynd, The Stiperstones with its quartzite tors, and Brown Clee Hill, the highest point in the county. Each sits within or beside the Shropshire Hills National Landscape in the West Midlands of England, and each offers a different kind of walk, from a short there-and-back climb to a long, open ridge. This guide covers the character, the views and the practicalities of each, so you can choose the hill that suits your day.
The Shropshire Hills run along the border between England and Wales, a quiet upland of grass, heather and ancient rock. They are far less crowded than the Lake District or Snowdonia, which is part of their appeal. If you would like to bring one of these summits home, you will find each hill below in our collection of Shropshire prints.
Which Shropshire hill should you walk first?
If you have never walked in the area, start with The Wrekin or Caer Caradoc. Both are compact, well-marked and rewarding, with a clear summit and a wide view for relatively modest effort. The Long Mynd suits walkers who want distance and open moorland, while The Stiperstones is for anyone drawn to dramatic rock. Brown Clee is the choice for baggers chasing the county top.
The Wrekin, the landmark hill near Telford
The Wrekin stands alone above the Shropshire plain near Telford, a steep wooded cone that is visible for miles in every direction. For many people it is the first hill they ever climb in the county, and it remains a firm favourite. A clear path winds up through the trees to a heathy summit crowned by the ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort, with a trig point and far-reaching views across Shropshire, Cheshire and into Wales on a clear day. The going is steady rather than severe, which makes it a fine family walk.
Its distinctive shape has made it a regional emblem, and you can see why in the The Wrekin print, an original digital illustration that captures the hill rising from the lowland in clean, confident lines.
Caer Caradoc and The Lawley above Church Stretton
East of Church Stretton, a line of steep volcanic hills rises sharply from the valley. The boldest of them is Caer Caradoc, a craggy ridge topped by another ancient hillfort and named in local tradition after the British chieftain Caratacus. The climb is short but properly steep, and the reward is one of the finest viewpoints in the region, looking across the Stretton valley to The Long Mynd and along the whole chain of hills.
What is The Lawley like to walk?
Just to the north, The Lawley is a long, grassy whaleback ridge that makes a natural companion to Caer Caradoc. It is gentler underfoot, an open walk along a clean skyline with little to obstruct the view on either side. Many walkers link the two in a single day, dropping into the valley between them. The shapely summit of Caer Caradoc is celebrated in our Caer Caradoc print.
The Long Mynd, big skies and open moorland
The Long Mynd is the great heather plateau of the Shropshire Hills, a broad expanse of moorland cut by steep, narrow valleys known locally as batches and hollows. The most famous of these is Carding Mill Valley, a popular starting point cared for by the National Trust. From the high ground the views stretch west into Wales and east across the Stretton hills, and the open top gives a real sense of space and big skies. It is ideal for a longer outing, with miles of walking across the heath and along the ancient Portway trackway.
The sweep of moorland and the quality of the light are exactly what our The Long Mynd print sets out to capture.
The Stiperstones and its quartzite tors
The Stiperstones is the most distinctive hill in the county, a heathery ridge crowned by jagged outcrops of pale quartzite. These tors, the largest of which is the Devil's Chair, were shattered into rough blocks during the last Ice Age and now stand like broken battlements along the crest. Walking the ridge means picking a way between and over the rocks, which gives the hill a wilder, more rugged feel than its neighbours. On a clear day the views run deep into Wales, and in late summer the surrounding heather turns the slopes purple.
That bold, rocky silhouette is the subject of our The Stiperstones print.
Brown Clee Hill, the highest in Shropshire
Brown Clee Hill is the highest point in Shropshire, an isolated, twin-topped hill rising above the gentle farmland of the south-east of the county. Its broad slopes carry traces of old quarrying and ancient settlement, and the summit gives an expansive panorama over the surrounding plain. It feels removed from the busier hills around Church Stretton, which makes it a quieter, more reflective walk for those who want to stand on the roof of the county.
Shropshire hills at a glance
- The Wrekin (near Telford): a steep wooded cone with an Iron Age hillfort and a landmark profile. Best for a first hill and family walks.
- Caer Caradoc (Church Stretton): a short, sharp volcanic climb to a craggy hillfort summit with superb views.
- The Lawley (Church Stretton): a long, grassy ridge walk, gentler than Caer Caradoc and often combined with it.
- The Long Mynd: a vast heather plateau with open moorland walking and big skies.
- The Stiperstones: a rugged ridge of quartzite tors, the wildest-feeling hill in the county.
- Brown Clee Hill: the highest point in Shropshire, a quiet twin-topped hill with wide views.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest hill in Shropshire?
Brown Clee Hill is the highest hill in Shropshire, rising above the farmland of the south-east of the county. Its twin-topped summit gives a broad view over the surrounding plain and feels noticeably quieter than the popular hills around Church Stretton.
Are the Shropshire Hills good for beginner walkers?
Yes. The Wrekin and Caer Caradoc are both compact, well-marked climbs that reward modest effort with a clear summit and a wide view, which makes them ideal for newcomers and families. The Long Mynd offers gentler, longer walking once you are on the plateau.
Where are the Shropshire Hills?
The Shropshire Hills lie in the county of Shropshire in the West Midlands of England, along the border with Wales. Much of the area is designated as the Shropshire Hills National Landscape, and the town of Church Stretton sits at its heart, surrounded by The Long Mynd, Caer Caradoc and The Lawley.
Bring a Shropshire hill home
Every hill in this guide has its own original digital illustration, printed on 225gsm matt photo paper in sizes from A4 to A1, framed or print-only, from £19. Browse the full range in our collection of Shropshire prints and choose the summit that means the most to you.
