SO3698 : Walkers near Manstone Rock on the Stiperstones

Stiperstones

537m Elevation
357m Prominence
England Country
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SO3698 : Walkers near Manstone Rock on the Stiperstones

Jeremy Bolwell Photo source

Overview

Stiperstones is a quartzite ridge in the Shropshire Hills. Its highest point is Manstone Rock, at 536.9 m, with Devil's Chair farther north. Walks include the rocky ridge and a separate lower-level all-ability trail.

Stiperstones

The Stiperstones is a quartzite ridge in the Shropshire Hills. Manstone Rock is its highest point, with the natural summit beside the trig point. Devil's Chair is a separate tor to the north. The ridge's Ordovician rock was fractured by intense cold-weather processes during the last ice age.

Choosing a walk

The Stiperstones Stomp is a linear walk to Habberley, so arrange the return journey before setting off. Discover Shropshire Circular Walk 2 and the Snailbeach circuit are defined ridge itineraries. The Nipstone Wanderer visits the southern outcrops rather than Manstone Rock. The lower all-ability trail provides views of the ridge and does not reach the summit.

Planning your visit

The ridge is rocky and exposed. Climbing Manstone Rock is an optional scramble with drops, not part of the surfaced all-ability trail. Follow reserve notices, keep dogs on leads and give livestock space; release the lead if threatened by cattle.

Use the detailed route descriptions, transport information and safety advice on this page. The seasonal shuttle and visitor centre cannot be assumed to operate year-round. The Bog Visitor Centre is closed until spring 2027, according to its notice checked on 16 October 2026 (UTC).

Explore routes near Stiperstones

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Lightspout Waterfall via Carding Mill Valley Circular

4.3 km ~2h 30m Moderate

View route

Carding Mill Valley and The Long Mynd walk

15.3 km ~5h Moderate

View route

Welshpool to Sweeps Bridge: Montgomery Canal and Belan Locks

7.6 km ~2h 15m Easy

View route

Shrewsbury Walk with Men Walking & Talking

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Stiperstones Stomp: NNR car park to Habberley

Natural England's 8 km linear walk starts at Knolls/NNR car park, follows the ridge and descends to Habberley. Arrange your return journey in advance: the published 2026 shuttle does not serve Habberley. Follow the Stomp map in the reserve visitor leaflet; climbing the tors is optional.

8 km Rocky ridge walk

Discover Shropshire Circular Walk 2: Stiperstones

Shropshire Council's mapped 5.5-mile circuit starts at The Bog car park, takes in the main ridge past Cranberry Rock, Manstone Rock and Devil's Chair, and returns below its eastern side. Use the Circular Walk 2 leaflet and current path signs, including the permissive-path section.

8.9 km Rough underfoot; exposed ridge

Stiperstones from Snailbeach: Walking Britain 3529

From Snailbeach village hall car park, this circuit climbs through the mine site and Resting Hill to the main ridge, then descends beyond Cranberry Rock and returns through Stiperstones village. Use Walking Britain route 3529 and its mapped footpath return from the inn. The publisher estimates 4 hours 20 minutes; its alternative lane return is a different finish.

11.4 km ~4.3 hours Easy/moderate (Walking Britain); rocky ridge

The Nipstone Wanderer from The Bog

Shropshire Council's 2.5-mile circular walk explores The Bog mine site, woodland and the southern ridge beside Nipstone Rock, returning to The Bog. It includes gates, steps, grazing land and a road crossing. It does not visit Manstone Rock or Devil's Chair. The council estimates 1 hour 15 minutes.

4 km ~1.3 hours Moderate

Stiperstones All-ability Trail

Natural England's 650 m all-ability trail starts beside the reserved parking at Knolls/NNR car park and follows the lower eastern flank; return along the same path. There are resting places and a tapping rail. The approach slopes, and horses, cycles and occasional works traffic may share the trail. It does not reach Manstone Rock or the ridge-top tors.

Surfaced trail with slopes
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Dodd Dewey

Elevation

537m

1,761 ft

Prominence

357m

Coordinates

52.5819, -2.9349

SO367986

OS Map

137

Explorer: 216 217

At the Summit

Manstone Rock is the highest tor. The natural high point is a rock about 1 m from the trig point. Devil's Chair is a separate tor farther north. Reaching the top of Manstone Rock involves exposed scrambling; the ridge path passes below it.

Terrain & Geology

Heather moorland and grassy approaches lead to a very rocky uneven ridge path. The tors have steep sides and drops. The separate lower-level all-ability trail has a surfaced path.

The ridge is formed from Ordovician Stiperstones Quartzite. Frost shattering in ice-age periglacial conditions helped create its angular tors and boulder fields.

Views & Scenery

Views towards the Long Mynd, the surrounding Shropshire Hills and the Welsh border hills.

History & Heritage

Historical Significance

The Bog and Snailbeach preserve evidence of the area's lead-mining history. The Bog Visitor Centre occupies the former village school. In August 2025 the enlarged protected area was renamed Stiperstones Landscape National Nature Reserve.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Knolls (Stiperstones NNR) car park is the main starting point for ridge walks and the all-ability trail. The Bog and Snailbeach are alternative starting points for their respective routes. Use designated car parks and keep access clear.

Public Transport

The Long Mynd and Stiperstones Shuttle links Church Stretton with the NNR car park, The Bog, Stiperstones village and Snailbeach during its operating season. The published 2026 service 780 ran on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 May to 27 September. Check the next season's timetable before planning a bus connection. Habberley is not on that published shuttle route.

Nearby Facilities

The Bog Visitor Centre has refreshments and toilets, including accessible facilities, when open. As checked on 16 October 2026 (UTC), it is closed until spring 2027; check bogvisitorcentre.com before relying on it. The Stiperstones Inn in Stiperstones village also offers food and drinks.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Rocky, uneven paths and steep-sided tors require care. Manstone Rock has exposed scrambling and drops; you can follow the ridge without climbing the tors.
  • Weather can deteriorate quickly, with severe winter conditions and a risk of lightning. Check the forecast and carry suitable clothing, walking footwear, food and drink.
  • Keep dogs on leads under reserve guidance and give grazing livestock plenty of space. If threatened or chased by cattle, release your dog rather than risk being pulled or trapped.
  • Avoid mine workings and obey local warning signs, including notices about heather burning and temporary access restrictions.

Seasonal Hazards

Signed areas of open-access land may be closed between 1 March and 31 July to protect nesting birds. These are local, conditional restrictions, not a closure of the whole ridge. Follow current notices and access maps.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Stiperstones?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Stiperstones through the maps

Are there other walkers around Stiperstones?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Stiperstones search or of course create your own walk for Stiperstones

Can I organise a walk to Stiperstones?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Stiperstones.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Stiperstones?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Stiperstones here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

Stiperstones location map

Grid reference: SO367986

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Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

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