RSF - The Off Road Cycling Club

A 17 km route around Brown Clee Hill, visiting Abdon Burf (at 540 m, the highest point in Shropshire). The start and finish is on Park Gate, a road close to Cleobury North (SO 608 872).  A web search for 'Brown Clee Roadside Parking' will get you to the right place. I would ride the route in a clockwise direction; anti-clockwise means demanding climbing from the off. After a short trundle down hill, a right turn brings the first piece of bridleway: you skirt the lower slopes of Brown Clee Hill on a gently undulating and well-surfaced track. A brief section of the B4364, then a country lane towards Blackford. A stretch of The Jack Mytton Way brings grassy tracks and much sheep poo; plus views down towards Corve Dale. A rapid descent to Cockshutford (keep a eye on the road ahead and have brakes at the ready; else you'll ride into a gate).Now the climb up to Burwarton Pole. Walking the bike is within the spirit of the game; and makes taking in the views behind easier. At the top you'll see some indecision on the gpx track. I'll blame the exertions of the climb (definitely not my map reading skills). Keep to 'Shropshire Way - Main Route' signs and you'll be fine. A little section of hike-a-bike (it looked like a footpath on my map but it was marked with horse shoe prints; riding allowed?). You've made it to Abdon Burf. Take in Southern Shropshire in all it's glory. To use the A. E. Houseman quote on the toposcope: "Wenlock Edge was umbered / And bright was Abdon Burf / And warm between them slumbered / The smooth green miles of turf'. The descent back to the start: fast tarmac, sharp right onto a churned forest track, then single-track. At least I thought it was single-track until I twigged it was a foothpath; dismount and walk the bike or take the nearby bridleway.