The creators of the hugely successful King Alfred’s Way bikepacking route have today unveiled a new, multi-day cycle route. Cycling UK’s Marcher Castles Way will link a mix of the tarmac roads, bridleways and cycle paths over a 180-mile (290km) loop that starts in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Three shorter taster loops are also incoming.
What is the Marcher Castles Way cycle route?
Similar to the cycling charity’s King Alfred’s Way, which became a massive hit after its launch in 2019 and boasted Winchester, Stonehenge, Avebury and much more on its history-loaded 217-mile (350km) route, the Marcher Castles Way is heritage-filled. The route’s name (march/marcher is the medieval word for borderland) aims to highlight the history of the strongholds – built to prevent Welsh advances into England – that cyclists will encounter on the loop.
Where does the Marcher Castles Way cycle route go?
After starting in Shropshire’s country town of Shrewsbury, the full route crosses the English and Welsh border eight times. Along the way it visits the Roman city remains at Wroxeter, the World Heritage Site of Ironbridge and crosses over Offa’s Dyke, the earthwork from circa 784CE that largely runs along the border.
What sort of bike do I need for Marcher Castles Way and how tough is it?
Cycling UK suggest the route is best suited for a mountain or gravel bike. The 180-mile (290km) route is shorter than Cycling UK’s King Alfred’s Way, West Kernow Way and the Great North Trail, but it’s a hilly devil, with a thigh-busting 16,500ft (5,000m) of elevation gain. We’ll be using an ebike when we attempt it next month.
Cycling UK have also initially released a taster route of 60-miles (96km), which is far more weekend-friendly and cuts the climbing down to 1,391m.
That route does miss out the foodie town of Ludlow, however, which acts as a wise overnight stop for the full route. You can take your bike on some local trains, but reservations are recommended. Two more separate shorter loops will be released soon.
Similar to the King Alfred’s Way, the Marcher Castles Way isn’t formally waymarked, but it does incorporate signposted paths such as the Jack Mytton Way for several sections and parts of the National Cycle Network. Cyclists can download the route file to a GPS cycling computer or smartphone from the Cycling UK website.
Those downloading the route file will also receive key safety and navigation tips, as well as the historic monuments that the route passes. Cycling UK’s regularly brillaint printed guide for the route will start shipping in early 2025 and contains the full range of short loop options and suggested itineraries for the full route.
And if all that sounds like hard work, you can always drive it…
