North Shropshire

'Straddling the English border, near Whitchurch in Shropshire and Wrexham in Wales, lies one of the biggest and best raised bogs in Britain. Its astonishingly varied wildlife makes it a place of international importance.'

'After years of neglect the magical landscape was lovingly restored and reopened in 1993. Parts of the park and the main walking routes contain several flights of steps, some natural ones carved into rock and some man made wooden ones – these can be slippery when wet.'

'This page has been prepared by Wellington Walkers are Welcome Management Committee. This is an ad hoc group of interested local walkers. We are not a party political organisation; we have supporters of a range of political parties, and none, on our management committee who work effectively together. The inspiration for the group came from a combination of Wellington LA21 Group and Wellington Town Council without whose help this would not have been possible.'

Held Mid September.

'Formed in 1976 by a group of local people interested in walking and the protection of local footpaths ... The Whitchurch Walkers have produced a walks booklet which contains details of 5 walks starting at the Whitchurch Heritage Centre of varying lengths from 2 to 8 miles. This can be purchased from the Heritage Centre for £1.50.'

Held Mid May.

'The Trail provides visitors with a free and gentle tour of Ellesmere (mostly accessible by wheelchair and pushchair) taking in the uniquely attractive settings of the mere, the historic castle fields and canal.'

Route 'devised to cover, as near as possible, all of the counties and areas served by Hope House Children’s Respite Hospice, a registered charity situated near Oswestry'.

The book The Hope House Way: a 335-mile Walk Around Shropshire, the Marches and Mid Wales for Hope House Children's Hospices by Mark Rowlands and published by the Rotary Club of Wrekin should be obtainable second-hand.

'Walking or cycling along the towpath is an excellent way to experience the peace and tranquility of this rural canal. This is also a popular canal for canoeing – paddling quietly through peaceful green surroundings is a great way to spot wildlife.'

'Delightful and challenging 33-mile route combining Offa’s Dyke Path and the Montgomery and Llangollen canals to form a circular walk around the border town of Oswestry. The guide book and annual challenge to complete the route are in support of Cancer Research UK and Lingen Davies Cancer Fund.'

'If you wanted to know about the best walks in Shropshire who would you ask? We asked the real experts The local walkers. The individuals and groups, historians, lovers of flora and fauna, the volunteers who look after the stiles, bridges and paths: all have contributed. The result is the Shropshire Way. Not only the finest route around the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but also the best possible set of day walks ...

'Waymarked long-distance footpath which starts in Grindley Brook, Shropshire, passes through Cheshire, and finishes at Mow Cop, Staffordshire ... It links the South ends of the Sandstone Trail and the Gritstone Trail.'

'Spans the width of the County for 65 kilometres from Newport in the west to Burton upon Trent in the east. Unlike the Staffordshire Way, the Way for the Millennium, which follows a disused railway line and canal towpaths for much of its length, has no steep gradients and is suitable for people of any age.'