Hill: The Wrekin
Date: Tuesday 14th March 2017
Company: Just myself
Distance: 6.6km, Ascent: 385m
Time: 1Hr 55Mins


On Tuesday morning, I left Betws-y-Coed to head for Liverpool to attend a conference. En-route to Liverpool, I decided to take a diversion to ascend the Wrekin. On arriving at the Wrekin, I was surprised to find the large car park already full with numerous cars also parked at the roadside. I parked at the roadside a hundred metres or so away from the start of the track.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

It would be fairly difficult to get lost during an ascent of the Wrekin as the track is as wide as a road. It was a pleasant change to ascend a hill with lots of other walkers.

Start of track ascending the Wrekin:


The Wrekin would appear to be a popular dog walk. It's a shame that so many dog walkers bag their dogshit and then leave it on the ground or hang it from trees.

Ascending the Wrekin:


Seeing the "This way that way" sign made me think of Alice in Wonderland. A tea party at the summit would have been nice.

Useful waymarking:


I enjoyed the walk along the tree-lined track.

Lovely tree-lined track:


Looking back:


Ascent towards the transmitter:


Despite seeing the Wrekin Hillfort sign, I didn't see any sign of the hillfort itself.

The Wrekin Hillfort signage:


Looking back towards Telford:


Approaching the transmitter:


If ascending the Wrekin, it is worth noting that the summit is allegedly located circa 100m away from the trig point and toposcope. All ascending the hill were passing by the true summit.

Track leading towards the trig point and toposcope:


I spent a good ten minutes at the summit taking photos and having a look around.

Trig point and toposcope:


Toposcope:


Looking towards the true summit and transmitter:


At the trig point and toposcope:


Ironbridge Power Station:


From the summit, after a quick look at the map, I decided to return via a different route.

View from atop a small crag:


My route back involved a steep descent through a wood followed by a fairly level return along a muddy track.

Steep descent through the wood:


Mudfest route back to the start:


On reaching the car, I then drove to Liverpool, checked into my hotel and headed straight for the Cavern Club, a place I have always wanted to visit .