STEPS TO SERENITY

BY ANDY RICHARDSON

There are numerous walks in and around Ironbridge. Telford & Wrekin Council is among the supporters of footpaths that link avariety of sites and give people the opportunity to visit.

The Sabbath Walks Trail runs for 3km and starts at Dale End Car Park, in Coalbrookdale, before passing through woodland paths.

Apath linking Ironbridge to Blists Hill Victorian Town begins at Station Yard Card Park and runs for around 3.5km, with steps and undulating terrain.

The Loamhole Dingle provides history beneath the feet of walkers as it crosses woodland paths for 3km.

The Limetrail of Benthall Edge starts at Station Yard Car Park and covers 3km with some steep hills and lots of steps.

The Iron Trail, meanwhile, is a favourite that takes in the bridge itself, providing great photoopportunities.

There are also numerous walks from Dale End.

One of the area’s shortest walks starts at Dale End Park and covers a flat riverside section of just 1.2km. From the rear of the car park turn right and walk along the riverside to the Edward Albert Bridge, turn and walk back through the park.

Alonger walk through Coalbrookdale begins at the Dale End Car Park. From the car park cross theBuildwas Road, turn left and the take the first right into Station Road. Walk through to Coalbrookdale –site of the Museum of Iron, Enginuity and the Darby Houses. Turn left uphill and left again into the Arboretum. Keep through Cinder Hill woods to cross a minor road and walk around the edge of Strethill Lodge. Here there are excellent views of the south Shropshire Hills.

Return downhill along the route of an old tramway,acrossthe railway and down to the Buildwas Road to complete the walk.

Awoodland walk that starts at Dale End features asteep descent of 209 steps. Turn right out of the car park onto Buildwas Road. Take the second road on the left (Paradise) alongside the shop. Keep to the right and walk on paths up to the top of Lincoln Hill. The brick base here is the remains of the Rotunda. The view over the fence down to the Ironbridge is magnificent in all seasons. Descend back to the road and car park via the 209 steps from the back of the viewing platform. The walk covers adistance of 2km and takes an hour

Abeautiful walk from the Wharfage takes in Dale Coppice and Lincoln Hill. It offers an excellent view and there are plenty of steps, once more.

Walk to the road and turn left. Take the first right into Paradise, immediately before the shop. Walk up the road, taking the right fork into the woods. Walk right through Dale Coppice and at Church Road take aright then left into thearea of The Sabbath Walks. Turn rightup the bank to the top and then turn right backacross the road and continue to the Rotunda. After admiring the view of Ironbridge descend the 209 steps and return to The Wharfage.