Ratlinghope (22km) Print

Ratlinghope Waypoint 1

In medieval times hilltop routes such as the Portway were used as Drovers roads to drive herds of Welsh cattle to market. They used hilltop routes to avoid the toll roads in the valleys and be gentler on the cattles feet as long distances on paved roads meant they had to be shod. Parking available at Church Pulverbatch Village Hall (Grid Reference SJ432030) phone beforehand Mrs L Russell on 01743 718409 (parking fee one pound). Turn right out of car park and follow the road for approximately 200m. Take the hedged lane on your left and follow it for 1km passing through stream and continuing uphill to road. Turn left uphill to Wilderley Hall Farm.

Ratlinghope Waypoint 2

Turn right immediately after the farm following a stoned track uphill to gate which leads into a large field. Keeping the fenceline on your left continue uphill to a gate.

Ratlinghope Waypoint 3

Cross the lane, through the gate and keep left following the hedgeline which takes you down to a wicket gate. Continue uphill to gate onto a stoned track. Turn right and follow the track for 1.5km down to the road. At road junction turn right for 0.5km.

Ratlinghope Waypoint 4

Turn left onto Sallins Farm drive then left again through gate onto track and follow this up to cottage. Continue ahead uphill towards lone trees then bear diagonally left across field to wicket gate.

Ratlinghope Waypoint 5

Turn right along the tarmac lane (The Portway) for 1km to the road. Turn left for 1km past the Thresholds Centre.

Ratlinghope Waypoint 6

Turn left onto stoned track and follow this through a series of gates for 1km going through a ford at Lower Darnford Farm. On reaching the road turn right to the village of Ratlinghope.

Ratlinghope Waypoint 7

Turn right on bend before church. Pass house, ford the stream and follow track over Ratlinghope Hill.

Ratlinghope Waypoint 8

Take care crossing this road as you turn left then right onto the drive to Near Gatten Farm. At the farm keep the barns on your left and go straight on along a stoned track which takes you over the hill, through Far Gatten and out to the road.

Ratlinghope Waypoint 9

Turn right and stay on gated road through Gatten Lodge past two cattle grids for 3km. Turn right off road onto track beside cattle grid and follow byway through gates for 1km to the road.

Ratlinghope Waypoint 10

Turn right then almost immediately left onto byway which you follow for 3km to Pulverbatch. Join road and go straight ahead to the White Horse. Turn left then take right turn to Church Pulverbatch. Follow road back to parking place.