Shropshire Hills Walks
Titterstone Clee Hill
Date: 29th Aug 2014
Distance: 1 mile
Ascent: 300 feet
Time: 25 mins
With: On my own
Start Grid Ref: SO593775
Walk Summary:
A shorter than planned circuit of the summit of Titterstone Clee Hill starting from the quarry car park near the summit.
Route Summary: A clockwise walk of the upper reaches of Titterstone Clee Hill from the quarry car park.
Photos: Click on the photos below to enlarge.
Walk Detail: My main aim whilst spending the week in Shropshire was to visit all five of the county's Dewey tops (hills over 500m in height). This plan had been put in jeopardy when my car had broken down on Thursday on my way to Titterstone Clee Hill on what would have been the first of four walks that day. The car was repaired by 4pm giving me just enough time to get out and visit Brown Clee Hill and Clee Burf, this left me just Titterstone Clee Hill to do and just one day to do it in.
I'd only planned a short three mile perambulation of the upper reaches of the hill and I was relieved when Rhiannon and Lisa said that they would come and do the walk with me. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the car park in the quarries near the summit of the hill it wasn't the bright morning that had been forecast but a cloudy and very windy morning. In fact so windy was it that we quickly decided that it wasn't a good idea for Rhiannon to attempt the exposed climb up alongside the quarry to the summit. Instead Lisa and Rhiannon decided to wait for me in the car while I made a quick dash up to the trig point.
After the bitter disappointment of the day before it was equally frustrating that I couldn't explore the hill a bit more and besides, I was looking forward to doing so with my family. Therefore whilst this short route enabled me to achieve my goal of visiting the summit I have to say I didn't take a huge amount of satisfaction in doing so.
That being said, despite the disappointment and the cloudy skies, there is no doubt that Titterstone Clee is a very interesting hill with a fine summit. Whilst some might say that the heavily quarried flanks and masts and assorted paraphenalia on the summit have spoiled the hill I'd argue that it instead gives it some real character. The views are extensive and the quarries themselves look like they have been grassed back almost as if nature has healed the scars caused by man.
This is a hill I'd definitely do again, perhaps on a more extended walk from the village of Clee Hill. You never know, maybe next time it will be third time lucky!
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