A lovely cycle ride requiring 2 miles on main road at the beginning, after which you will be on beautiful, country lanes. A short, steep hill takes you towards Offa’s Dyke before passing through Churchstoke and upwards towards Priest Weston. There is also an opportunity to detour to Roundton Hill Fort and nature reserve.

​

Distance: 31km (19.3miles)  Time: 2.5 hours​

​

Map: OS Explorer 216

Toilets: To rear of Town Hall

Parking: at start/finish

Start/finish: Recycling Car Park Bishop’s Castle Road (B4385) SO 22470 96301

​

Directions:

1. Start at the recycling car park, go to the main road (B4385) and turn left. Follow the road – which can be busy at times – for 4km (2.5 miles) until you reach a crossroads with the Bluebell pub opposite.

2. Go straight across the crossroads (A489) and over a small bridge. On a sharp left-hand bend, and with the Gatehouse in front of you, turn right into a small lane towards Bacheldre.

3. Proceed for 0.8km (ó mile), going straight on at the first junction, then turning left at the next into a slightly wider lane.

4. Follow this lane for about 2.4km (1ó miles) bearing left at the next 2 junctions. Pass Pentrenant Hall on your left and begin the climb up to a wood. The views to the left are worth it.

5. On entering the wood, ignore the steep lane which goes off to your right and continue straight on for around 230m (250 yards).

6. Go through the farm gate on to a track, closing the gate behind you. On reaching the next gate re-join the tarmac lane. This area can be muddy.

7. Pass Little Argoed farm on your left and head downhill, keeping left and ignoring the lane on your right.

8. Continue downhill, past old school buildings now converted into workshops, then turn left at the junction. Follow the road to the end.

9. At the B4385 and Court House T-junction turn right, then almost immediately left into a narrow lane towards Churchstoke. You are now on National Cycle Route 44.

10. Take care on the narrow bends. As you enter Churchstoke, pass the church and the Court House Hotel on your left. At the junction turn right on to the A489, signed Route 44.

11. Continue just a short distance then take the first left into Hall Bank. Continue straight on up the bank which soon becomes Green Lane.

12. After 2.4km (1ó miles), you will see a brown sign for a Nature Reserve. You may wish to make a detour here, of approx 0.8km (ó mile) each way, to Roundton Hill Reserve and Roundton Hill Fort. Otherwise, stay on the main road which bends left. Look for the Route 44 sign by a phone box.

13. Follow the lane until you come to a junction with a grass patch in the middle. Take the left turn signed Marton and Chirbury.

14. Continue into Priest Weston and take the first left, opposite Pots and Prints, into a lane which heads downhill. You leave Route 44 at this point.

15. Stay on this lane for 3.7km (2.3 miles), crossing the river Camlad and coming on to the A490 T-junction just outside Chirbury.

16. Turn right onto the A490, then turn left into narrow Lower Lane at the staggered crossroads.

17. Stay on the lane for 3.7km (2.3 miles) until you reach a T-junction at which you turn right.

18. Continue straight on at the next junction following signs for Montgomery.

19. Continue along the lane passing Upper Gwarthlow Farm on the right. At the next junction follow the tight left-hand bend to stay on the lane. Continue to the end.

20. Re-join the B4385 and turn right towards Montgomery. Just after the 30-mph sign, turn right into Maldwyn Way to return to the car park.

​

PLEASE FOLLOW THE HIGHWAY CODE

• Wear appropriate, high visibility clothing, suitable footwear and

a cycling helmet • Ride in single file on narrow or busy roads

• Do not cycle on pavements and obey all traffic signs • Use front

and rear lights when cycling in poor light