After several days of rain and with Storm Austen coming tomorrow, I chose to
go out today, and to go somewhere that I did not think would be too wet. I
chose to explore the area of Clee Hill which has many walking routes in the
books - I picked the Kittiwake one to base my day on.
The day would start at the village of Clee Hill where I knew there were numerous parking area, then climb up beside the currently operating quarry towards Random farm. Skirting around the farm in the open access area and down the far side to Cleeton St. Mary. Along Jack Mytton way until it meets the Shropshire Way, and follow this back to the top of Clee Hill beside the radar station. Down the Titterstone Incline before contouring around to Dhustone village. Finally along the old railway track bed back to Clee Hill village.
I parked in the first car park after the village, beside the cattle grid. This
had early morning views across to the South East. Although the toposcope was
washed out and completely unreadable.
There was a cruel wind blowing from
the north(ish) but swirling around the hill so I would wear my jacket all
day.
I walked through the open area to the junction for the access road to the
quarry. There is a second car park here.
Up the road to the main quarry entrance and following the driveway to Random
farm around its edge.
Continuing on the driveway around the spoil heaps, before selecting a track onto
the moors passing old quarry pits.
The small track merged onto a quad bike version that curved around to a ghost
tree on the flatter shoulder above Random farm.
The radar station was prominent on the hill top, but I followed the fence line
around the farmland.
Around a corner of the farmland fence and down the second side. This opened up
views to the north.
Over the last rise and down to Cleeton St. Mary with its prominent church.
Just past the church a zigzag down the back road. First dropping and over a
stream. This was on Jack Mytton Way.
At Cleetongate house I left the road and followed the bridleway up the hedge
line - on the quad track that paralleled it.
This climbed up on the edge of
the open access area to a shoulder.
The bridleway drops down to Callowgate, but I followed sheep tracks to contour
around and meet the Shropshire way, and a steep ascent up to the radar domes on
Clee Hill.
A pause in the slope gradient allowed a look back towards Brown Clee Hill, This
one being "Titterstone" Clee Hill.
Then back on the steep slope to reach
the plateau above.
Up to the plateau and a gentler climb to the trig point, and looking back to the
radar installations.
Looking south around to west - the black mountains and Brecon beacons.
Looking west around to the North.
Leaving the top and circumventing the disused top quarry working, before
dropping down to the car park.
Through the car park and the abandoned quarry/ mine buildings.
Through the buildings to walk down the Titterstone Incline - An old ramp to
lower stone on tram trucks.
Leaving the incline at a bridge to traverse across above buildings to cross a
stream.
Around (and slightly up) to Nine Springs farm. Then through the farmyard and up
the driveway. I left the Shropshire way here.
After the initial slope the drive flattens and contours around to meet a back
road.
This road leads down to Dhustone village, and its line of quarry
worker houses.
Out of the village and down a lane to railway cottages. This gave access to the
abandoned track bed.
Along the track bed back to Clee Hill village, and the car park.
However I
did drop down into the village for a slice of cake.
Statistics
| Distance |
Elapsed |
Height |
| 12.5km |
2h 52m |
428m |
