Both routes will be marked and marshalled, with tail walkers for each.
Both the 4 and 10 mile routes start at the barrier by Blackpool carpark and follow the lower woodland track to Mary Knoll Valley.
From Mary Knoll Valley, the 10 mile route goes up the muddy northern bank of the stream, then follows the Climbing Jack trail up to Mary Knoll viewpoint. Unfortunately, we are unable to use Poison Bank, but there is still a stiff, rocky climb to the viewpoint. You’ll be greeted with views towards the Malvern Hills and High Vinnalls if you dare turn around. Now it’s downhill, some grass and forest track to Whitcliffe, where you will cross the road and join the famous Pipe Track.
TAKE CARE when crossing the road and follow ALL marshal directions. If they ask you to stop, STOP. I don’t want to scrape your body off the road, the paperwork will be awful.
Along the Pipe Track will be muddy, it will be slick, there are some roots, some stones. You get views over the Teme Valley to The Long Mynd, then into mixed woodland. It is simply wonderful.
After a bit of ‘Ludlow flat’, you’ll find yourself at the first Pump House. This is an incredible feat of Victorian engineering, part of the system that takes water from the Elan Valley to Brum. What’s more impressive though, are the slight bumps ahead.
The infamous Big Dippers!
I shan’t explain them any further: if you know, you know. If not, then SURPRISE!
Next, a long pull on some easy track. Dig in and you’ll be flowing again along a soft woodland path. A sharp turn and it’s down to Vinnalls carpark with another road crossing.
AGAIN, follow ALL marshal directions.
PLEASE NOTE, the track from the Bringewood to Vinnalls carpark is PERMISSIVE only and the land owners reserve the right to withdraw access at anytime. Please be respectful of the land.
There is a cutoff at the carpark, (provisionally 2 hours) and you will be directed straight down Mary Knoll Valley to the start if you fail to make it. This is for the safety of our marshals who are standing around on a cold, damp winter day.
Here you rejoin the 4 mile route.
From the carpark, it’s up, up, up all the way to High Vinnalls itself. The summit provides 360 degree views in winter, able to see the Brecon Beacons, Radnor Forest, Corndon, the Stretton Hills, Wrekin, Brown and Titterstone Clee Hills, and the Malvern Hills.
It’s now a long grassy downhill, through a small, very muddy wooded section then into the open with views to Ludlow and the Clee Hills. You’ll eventually meet the bottom track you started on, and it’s about a kilometre to the finish, GIVE IT THE BEANS!
The 4 mile route splits from the 10 at the bottom of Mary Knoll Valley, and sticks to the main forestry track, heading straight to Vinnalls carpark. From here it is the same as the 10 mile route, going up High Vinnalls. This avoids all road crossings and the Big Dippers, sticking to well made paths. There will still be mud, but not quite so extensive as on the longer route.
HOME 