Description and pictures as per April 2013
Nipstone Rock is part of the Stiperstones. I love the area, with its mining history, old sunken roads, mysterious building remnants and endless views.
The large car park (just up from the Bog Visitor Centre) is a favorite with walkers of all shapes and sizes. You will frequently find mini buses and troops of Duke of Edinburgh hopefuls.
For a short 3.5 mile dog-friendly walk across the South end of the Stiperstones ridge, cross the car park towards the old buildings (you will find several information boards, detailing what a bustling settlement the Bog once was). Head towards the wood, it can be muddy here but it will give the dogs a chance to get some of their energy out of their system for later, as there are often sheep on Nipstone, not forgetting ground nesting birds.
Follow the path through the woods until you see a wide track off to the left leading to the road. Go through the gate (actually, I think it doesnt open so you may have to climb it – at the hinge side of course), turn left along the road (back towards the Bog), you will see Nipstone Rock rising up ahead of you and the gate onto Nipstone Nature Reserve immediately on your right. Follow the track, turning right onto the Shropshire Way which runs along the ridge. The path will drop down slightly and skirts another rocky outcrop, this time on your left, The Rock. Look out for remnants of activity and quarrying, enclosures, building rubble and ancient paths. If you are lucky you will see one or two Red Kites overhead too.
The area is now totally ‘clear-fell’. The confer plantations, planted in the 1960’s were felled in 2001 and 2006,and the area is now given back to heather, whinberry and gorse. A flock of Hebridean sheep keeps new saplings down. The ‘back to purple’ project aims to restore the habitat to help the Emperor Moth thrive.
The views are amazing, to your right across Wales with Corndon and Stapeley in the foreground, as far as Cader Idris on a clear day. Ahead the twin humps of Black Rhadley and Cefn Guntly and of course to your left the impressive ridge of the Long Mynd.
Dropping down from The Rock you will come to a fence (with a gate), don’t go through it but take the track along (but this side of) the fence, skirting the hill. The track can be wet, you will pass a waterspout with trough where the water literally spurts out of the hill. As you come to a fence ahead of you, use the strategically placed logs and tree stump to cross the fence. The sheep netting lifts enough for the dogs to crawl under. Be sure to put it back securely.
You will join a track which climbs steadily around the hill and will get you back to where you joined the Shropshire Way. Turn right into the wood and out the other end, its only a short one! Cross the field and turn left through the kissing gate, down hill and another kissing gate down some steps and a board walk. If your dogs like water (like D-dog) they will appreciate the pond you will pass just before the car park.
This walk has plenty of scope for extensions. For instance, the main Stiperstones ridge can easily be added as another loop. Take it as far as Stiperstones Village and stop of at the dog-friendly pub. And don’t forget to visit the Bog Visitor Centre, freshly painted and open between Easter and November. Run entirely by volunteers, you get tea in a mug and they always have some amazing home made cakes to choose from. You will find lots of mining paraphernalia, old prints, arts and crafts and books too.
Here is a little map in .pdf format and below a selection of snaps taken on a cold but clear April day.
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