The Wrekin from Forest Glen
Shropshire
The Wrekin rises to 407 metres out of the flat Shropshire plain west of Telford, and its summit was the hillfort of the Cornovii, the Iron Age tribe who held this country before the Romans; a quieter loop around its wooded base gives dogs some of the best off lead walking on the hill. The main path from Forest Glen is part of the Shropshire Way, a well surfaced track that climbs steadily through woodland past the Halfway House, then passes through the two old hillfort entrances known as Hell Gate and Heaven Gate before reaching the open top with its trig point and toposcope. This 6.1km circuit climbs the main path, crosses the summit and drops down the far side to return around the base of the hill on quieter forest paths, passing the Needle's Eye rock cleft. There is about 257 metres of ascent, with steep sections on both the climb and the descent.
This is a popular dog friendly walk, and the woodland that covers most of the hill gives welcome shade on the way up. The lower loop around the base is much quieter than the main track, and a dog with good recall can have a fair amount of freedom there, although a lead in spring and early summer is good practice while birds are nesting. The main path is very busy at weekends, so a lead is sensible on the busiest stretch. There is little water on the hill, so carry some for your dog. The Halfway House serves refreshments at weekends and holidays.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.1 km (3.8 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 5 min
- Walk Type
- Peak, Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Halfway House refreshments on the main path (weekends and holidays); no toilets on the hill.
- Parking
- Forest Glen car park, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, pay and display, plus limited roadside parking.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to The Wrekin from Forest Glen, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in ShropshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is The Wrekin from Forest Glen dog friendly?
The Wrekin scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness and is one of Shropshire's most well-loved hills for a dog walk. The route is 6.1km and takes in woodland paths, a dramatic Iron Age summit, and a quieter forest loop around the base — plenty of variety for dogs and owners alike. It does get busy on the main path at weekends, so it's worth bearing that in mind when planning your visit.
Can dogs be off lead at The Wrekin from Forest Glen?
The quieter forest paths on the lower loop around the base of the hill are where dogs can enjoy the most freedom off lead, provided their recall is reliable. In spring and early summer it's good practice to keep dogs on a lead while ground-nesting birds are active. The main path up to the summit is much busier, especially at weekends, so a lead is the sensible choice on that stretch.
What should I know before visiting The Wrekin from Forest Glen with my dog?
The most important thing to be aware of is that there is very little water on the hill, so bring enough for your dog for the full 6.1km circuit with its 257 metres of ascent. The woodland covering most of the hill does offer good shade on the climb, which helps on warmer days. If you're visiting on a weekend or bank holiday, the Halfway House on the main path serves refreshments, and parking is available at the Forest Glen pay and display car park run by Shropshire Wildlife Trust.
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