The Wrekin loop — Shropshire Hills

This was a mental challenge today as much as a physical one

Did Wrekin again today but with hubby n 10yr......absolutely freezing but views beautiful and clear.

Peak & Lake District Sojourn. Day 1. Right a six week Peak and Lake District trip starts today with a drive up to Furnace Vale in the Peak District where I am going to base myself for two weeks before moving over to the Lake District for a full month. The aim is to basically hike about 150+ peaks of various descriptions. So today in order were the following little tumps: The Wrekin 407m, Telford (Marilyn). Summary A lovely Iron Age Fort with gorgeous views and a decent little pull to its trig pointed summit. A nice forest track walk that is busy as it is the highest hill in the county. The route up I took was fine but the lower return route was quite muddy after the recent long period of prolonged rain. Parking: Large car park at the start which does get busy on weekends. Route: Straight forward route along good tracks that takes you to the summit. A few turns here and there but no undue problems. Route Statistics: 6.82 km DISTANCE 1:26:52 TIME 367 m ELEV GAIN Meir Heath 250m, Stoke On Trent (County HP). Summary The Staffordshire/Stoke on Trent County/Unitary HP. Which was basically a shitty brambled hilltop behind a vicarage. Large car park at the start point. Walk behind the church between and there is a small footpath going into the woods. I used a gps to get to the high point which was a small brambles lump. Parking: St Francis of Assisi Church in Meir Heath. Large and holy! Route: Woodlands and brambles. An indistinct footpath. Route Statistics: 0.49 km DISTANCE 9:42.6 TIME 45 m ELEV GAIN The Cloud 343m, Congleton (Marilyn). Summary A pretty little trig pointed hill near Congleton where everybody in the whole world goes mountain biking I think. Funny little animal farm there too. Lay-by parking at the start followed by steep steps to join the main wide track. After a gate the track gives easy to a footpath that takes you all the way to the summit. Great views and a good spot. The down route of the loop is pretty too. On the return leg you pass a farm with a variety of exotic animals. I inadvertently picked up a mountain bike route on the way down which was a bit muddy. Parking: Large lay-by at the start point. Route Summary: Steep steps, wide track and decent footpaths. Route Statistics: 3.28 km DISTANCE 46:55 TIME 182 m ELEV GAIN Gun 385m, Leek (Marilyn). Summary A shitty little trig pointed hill not far from Leek where nobody goes mountain biking because it is a swamp! Small lay-by at the start and then cross over the road to a gated footpath that takes you all the way to the summit virtually in a straight line. A bit muddy today! Parking: Lay-by at the start point big enough for a couple of vehicles. Route: Muddy rocky unmaintained trail. Route Statistics: 1.36 km DISTANCE 15:25 TIME 33 m ELEV GAIN Anyway, not the best weather day, not the best hills but I promise it will get better. Fun day though!!
 A rough total for the day of 12km hiked in 2hr 45min with 650m of height gain