Mortimer Trail

The Mortimer Trail is a waymarked long distance footpath and recreational walk in the counties of Shropshire and Herefordshire in England.

The route

The route is named after the Mortimer family of ruling Marcher Lords, often titled Earl of March, whose rise through successive generations from Norman times through the medieval period helped to shape the history and geography of this area of the Welsh Marches.

The route runs between Ludlow, Shropshire the old seat of the Council of the Marches, beginning at the site of Ludlow Castle, a seat of Mortimer power, and Kington, Herefordshire, in the quiet west of the county near the Welsh border.

The 30 mile (48 km) long route crosses the River Teme, enters the Mortimer Forest upland forest ridge area, passes Croft Castle, the Iron Age hill fort Croft Ambrey close to Wigmore and the initial seat of Mortimer power, passes through quiet Aymestrey. Near Aymestrey it passes through Puckhouse Wood which was reputed to be haunted by Pucks - or wood sprites. According to lore, a traveller lost in the wood at night paid a stipend for a bell to be tolled to rescue travellers from the Puck's clutches.

The path crosses the River Lugg and the River Arrow and ends in Kington.^[2]

Five loop walks depart from and return to the main waymarked trail at various points along the route, enabling investigation of surrounding attractions, villages and features. The Mortimer Trail Official Route Guide details these.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mortimer Trail.

• LDWA Mortimer Trail
• Extensive info on the route and its history from Royal Forest of Dean Info
• Contours Mortimer Trail
• Mortimer Trail information board and track
• Flickr photo set of Mortimer Trail walk