THE WREKIN

WELLINGTON, SHROPSHIRE

West of Telford lies the Wrekin – a lone giant protruding from the surrounding landscape. Such is its dominance on the horizon that it holds a special place in local folklore. Not the hardest climb in the land, it is nevertheless the most significant in this part of England and a serious challenge. There are two ways up and over, neither of which takes you to the top – that can be reached only by foot. To tackle the climb from the north, leave the Wrekin car park and climb gently through the woods at the base of a large rock face. The surface is rough and bumpy as you wind your way through a dense tunnel of trees and the climb steepens as you approach the exit of the forest. With the Wrekin on your right, the road flattens and the surface improves, rising hard again as you pass some farmhouses. Bending right then left, the last push will have your legs burning by the time you reach the top and roll down into Little Wenlock.