Distance: approx. 5km loop | Duration: 1–1.5 hours | Grade: Easy
This is our favourite walk from the cabin - and the one that gave Back Rhadley its name. A short loop with huge rewards, it’s the perfect way to stretch your legs after arrival, or to start a slow morning immersed in the wild beauty of the Shropshire Hills.
Head straight from the cabin door, following the stony track down past the woodland and out onto the lane for a short time, turning left up to Nipstone nature reserve. The path through a few gates then climbs gently, turning to the right at the crest of the hill through the gate, becoming a rocky trail as you pass Nipstone Rock on your right, a dramatic outcrop well worth a scramble as a little detour on the way to Black Rhadley, for sweeping views across to Cordon and beyond to the Welsh mountains on a clear day.
Continue along the track, on the left you will see the Long Mynd, past The Rock another striking cluster of stone with a wild, ancient feel. From here, the route dips briefly down to join the quiet lane again, where you’ll turn left and walk a short distance downward before climbing over a stile on your right at the bottom.
Now the ascent to Black Rhadley Hill begins. A modest short climb, but one that opens out to surprisingly 360 wide views. You will usually be the only person on the little summit, even in summer, and it’s a magical spot to pause at the rocky trig pointt. Expect gorse or Heather in bloom, birdsong on the breeze, and uninterrupted views stretching across the hills and the valley at the Linley Estate entrance road with its lovely huge Oaks.
The path then loops back down to the lane and returns you gently to the cabin—just in time for a cuppa or something cold on the deck back at the cabin.
Enjoy!