About

Embark on an unforgettable adventure through Telford's great outdoors with the T50 walking route. This 50-mile circular trail, divided into seven stages, is perfect for a short walking holiday or a day trip. It invites visitors and locals alike to explore the iconic landscapes, rich culture, and fascinating heritage of the Telford region.

Created in 2018 to celebrate Telford’s 50th anniversary as a New Town, the T50 trail weaves together existing footpaths, tracks, and quiet roads into a continuous journey. It connects diverse communities, beautiful green spaces, and significant heritage sites, making Telford a truly enriching destination.

The trail passes through the world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ironbridge Gorge, five Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 14 Local Nature Reserves, woodlands, reclaimed opencast mine workings, and numerous heritage sites reclaimed by nature. Along the way, you'll encounter remarkable attractions such as the Ironbridge Gorge Museums, which offer a deep dive into the area's industrial history. 

Throughout your journey, you'll be welcomed with warm hospitality and a taste of local flavors. Whether you're starting your walking day with a hearty brunch before hitting the trail or winding down with a relaxing tea break, Telford's cafes and eateries provide the perfect respite and recharge for walkers.  

Each of the seven stages can be comfortably walked in a day, with plenty of opportunities to explore local museums and historic sites along the way.

The official start of the trail is in the iconic 450 acre Telford Town Park, 150-hectare area that blends formal parkland and playgrounds with wild spaces preserving Telford’s historic past.

Walking Routes of the T50 Trail:  

Stage 1: Telford Town Park to Ironbridge – 10 miles   

Map and Guide - click here

A wonderful 10 mile walk rich in industrial heritage and wildlife. Starting in the award winning Town Park it first follows a disused rail line, now The Silkin Way, shared with cyclists and horse riders. Then it goes through woods, nature reserves, past pools and a fast flowing stretch of the River Severn to end in the Severn Gorge World Heritage Site with its world famous monuments and museums. It is relatively easy walking with a few short climbs and steps rewarded by outstanding views. 

Stage 2: Ironbridge to Little Wenlock – 4 miles

Map and Guide - click here 

Starting at the famous bridge you leave the riverside and climb the 173 Rotunda steps for spectacular views over the Severn Gorge. The walk passes major museum and historic sites, then becomes a beautiful stroll past streams, woods and dingles with birds, fungi and wild flowers. Open country follows with lovely views of the Shropshire Hills to finish your walk in Little Wenlock village. Please note there is no bus to Little Wenlock.  Coalbrookdale could be an alternative stage point for bus users.

Stage 3: Little Wenlock to Wellington – 8 miles

Map and Guide - click here 

This an outstanding walk. Leaving the village of Little Wenlock you get wonderful views of distant hills as you cross fields on 'The Bench Walk'. You follow the Shropshire Way down Spout Lane and then begin the climb of the Wrekin, gentle at first through pretty woods, to the summit with its prehistoric hill fort and 360 degree panoramas of Shropshire and beyond. The walk continues down past a reservoir to climb The Ercall, a nature reserve noted for its flowers, fungi, birds, insects and world famous geology. The whole of Telford and most of Shropshire and beyond is spread below you beneath these two hills. The walk ends in the market town of Wellington.

Stage 4: Wellington to Horsehay – 9 miles

Map and Guide - click here 

Starting in the busy market town of Wellington (train and bus stations and excellent indoor market) this is a real mixed stage. There are some fascinating green spaces adjacent to old towns, villages and modern estates. Old industrial sites, mines and quarries have been transformed into beautiful restful open places and reclaimed by wild nature. The Trail first heads north, through Dothill Nature Reserve and Apley Woods with delightful woods and pools. Then via Leegomery back south to Wellington where you then enter Limekiln Woods. A delightful ramble through woods and across open spaces follows with open views across Telford to The Wrekin; even a golf course to finish, close to more open water and the heritage Horsehay Steam Railway. It is possible to split the Stage into two walks of almost equal length, a North Wellington Circular walk and Wellington to Horsehay: the printed walk description is split into two parts to give you this choice.

Stage 5: Horsehay to Oakengates – 5 miles

Map and Guide - click here 

This stage starts by passing the Telford Steam Railway and crosses Lawley Common where you can spot the old railway station. It then uses part of the Ironbridge Way and goes through some of Telford’s newest housing developments with ample opportunities for refreshments with plenty of pubs, cafes and shops on the way. If you take care to look around and behind as you walk, you will often get surpringly good distant views across Telford and to The Wrekin. The sanctuary of Paddock Mound gives more lovely views before the trail moves through some more new development prior to reaching Oakengates station, with trains to and from Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton and Birmingham

Stage 6: Oakengates to Lilleshall – 6 miles

Map and Guide - click here 

The nature of the Trail changes in this section from semi urban to open countryside. Starting at Oakengates Railway Station (hourly trains from Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury), this Stage takes you through housing into some interesting green areas. It then moves into the countryside ending in the village of Lilleshall. The conspicuous hill and the Sutherland Monument is clearly in view for the last section of the Stage. From the top you can look back towards The Wrekin and admire how far you have come. The Bus No 5 runs bewteen Lilleshall Church and Oakengates Bus Station via Muxton every day (limited service Sundays).

Stage 7: Lilleshall to Telford Town Park – 8 miles

Map and Guide - click here 

This Stage takes you from the lovely viewpoint of Lilleshall Hill, across fields back to Muxton, then through the Granville Country Park full of interesting remnants of local industry, round the lake, The Flash, in Priorslee and into the Town Park in the centre of Telford with a wide range of facilities close at hand. It is a stage full of variety and contrasts with surprisingly extensive views from any highpoint. To get to the start the Bus No 5 (Mondays to Saturdays, limited service Sundays) drops you off at Lilleshall Church. At the end of the Stage is the main bus station and an easy stroll to Telford Central Railway Station.