Corndon Hill and Mitchell's Fold Stone Circle (Shorter Version)

Sam Roebuck

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Corndon Hill dominates this part of Powis with its distinctive shape, multiple summits and wild appearance. Most of the hill (and much of its surroundings) is Access Land and though there are few paths around its four summits, the terrain is sufficiently forgiving just to wander, should you wish to divert. To reach the highest of the summits, our walk starts in Shropshire, near the interestingly named village of White Grit. We quickly enter Wales and skirt the base of Corndon Hill as far as the first access point.

Here, the climb is quite steep, but the view over to the Stiperstones and the other Shropshire Hills will give you plenty of opportunity to draw breath and soon you will reach the top. I think you'll agree that the view makes the climb well worth the effort, taking in as it does not only the Shropshire Hills behind, but ahead as far as Snowdonia and north to the Clwydian mountains.

Next, we descend steeply to the base of Corndon Hill. Then, some easy walking back to the car park allows us to enjoy the scenery, but the day's not over when we reach it. A short distance further up the track is Mitchell's Fold Stone Circle. Erected in approximately 2000-1400BC by local Bronze Age communities, it has an excellent position beside Stapeley Hill. There is a story that one of the stones is a petrified witch (named Mitchell) who was punished for milking a magic cow through a sieve. The good people of the area then set a circle of other stones around her to prevent her from escaping. This legend has even been carved into a sandstone pillar in nearby Middleton Church. Local folklore also suggests that King Arthur drew Excalibur from one of the stones here, to become King of the Britons.

Dog-owners, please note the presence of sheep; all dogs must be on a lead whilst on the Access Land.

There are two longer versions of this walk, one of which incorporates a visit to the nearby village of Priest Weston (with its pub).

Wales - Mid Wales - Powys - Countryside