WATCH THIS before you BIKEPACK Cycling UK’s Marcher Castles Way

Today’s video is the before you bikepacking the marchers castle way where I will go everything you need to know before you get out there yourself. In this video I hope to help you make the decision if this route is for you or not.

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The gear i am currently using

The tent – https://youtu.be/n9GKHSf805E
Framebag – https://youtu.be/6LM3UJKDOEk
Seatpost bag – https://youtu.be/W1E_iWY6Ajo
Jones Handlebars – https://youtu.be/dhPBSdRros8
Gravel bike – https://youtu.be/Gnd_4LgTyrg
plus bike mtb – https://youtu.be/COTUOzLPbGk
gps device – https://youtu.be/BWeMmx62A9M
mtb shoes – https://youtu.be/OYVEnfXwT0k
All the gear from GNT – https://youtu.be/e5oKSoPoMk0
Vest bag – https://youtu.be/01nzgd-t550
Ortleib bar roll https://youtu.be/Uk9fLgS1ioo
Dynamo setup – https://youtu.be/SL7MhjB6Lp0
Questions answered – https://youtu.be/u1q9AEs9flE
Gb divide bike/gear- https://youtu.be/epcZ81wqFCo

Today we’ll be going over the “Before You Bikepack 
the Marcher Castles Way a 180-mile bikepacking route through the historic borderlands of 
England and Wales.
A Cycling UK route that takes you deep into the Shropshire Hills, past 
ancient castles, over rolling countryside, along woodland trails, and through old market towns.
In this video, I’ll try to give you some first-hand knowledge from riding it recently, so 
if you’re planning to take it on, you know what to expect.
From which bike is best for the terrain, 
how the wild camping is like, and what the food and water resupply options are like along the way.
I’ll also give this route a difficulty rating out of 10 — with 10 being extremely tough — and my 
overall rating based on how much I personally enjoyed it. One being don’t bother, and ten being 
up there with the best thing since sliced bread. What is the ride? (overview) The Marcher Castles Way is a Cycling UK route 
that takes you on an off-road adventure through the historic borderlands of England and Wales, 
known as the Welsh Marches. This was once a turbulent frontier, home to centuries of conflict, 
power struggles, and castle building — and this route traces that history through some 
of the most scenic parts of Shropshire. The ride officially starts and ends in Shrewsbury, 
looping through a landscape shaped by medieval power. You’ll pass through towns and villages like 
iron bridge, Ludlow, Clun, Knighton, and weaving between the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding 
Natural Beauty and quieter valleys tucked between. It’s not one continuous trail, but a mix of 
different types of terrain from canal paths and bridleways to grassy hillsides, old railway 
lines, forest tracks, and back lanes. There’s a bit of everything. You’ll definitely want a 
GPS device or navigation app, as the route changes surface and trail type quite often.
At just over 180 miles, with a fair bit of climbing, it’s not the longest route out there — 
but don’t underestimate it. The hills here can be steep over 15,000ft of elevation gain. If you’re 
into routes that blend historical landmarks great panoramic views countryside, this one really 
delivers, especially if you’re into castles. Who’s is for?
If you’re after a bikepacking adventure that mixes historic towns, rolling hills, and some seriously 
tough climbing, then the Marcher Castles Way might be just what you’re looking for. This route isn’t 
remote in the way that some Scottish or Welsh routes are, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. The 
climbs are relentless at times, and while a lot of the trails is on wide bridleway or double 
track, the constant ups and downs definitely add up, especially if you’re carrying full gear.
This route is probably best suited to riders who have a decent level of fitness and are comfortable 
spending long days in the saddle. While the trails themselves aren’t super technical, the effort 
required is still high. There are sections that are rideable for experienced off-road riders, 
but some people will find themselves pushing more often than they’d expect. There are a 
few rocky climbs, grassy hills, and uneven descents. Some of which do require focus and 
a bit of technical skill. Although you will spend most of your time on the off road trails 
you will still have to use quiet country lanes, they are quiet but you might encounter the odd 
car from time to time and the lanes are narrow so carful on them descents. You’ll pass through some 
stunning countryside, forests, quiet canal paths, and towns full of character. The regular access 
to villages, shops, and even cafes makes it much more manageable from a logistics point of view 
so you’re not having to be fully self-sufficient the whole time. If you like a challenge but don’t 
necessarily want to be out in the wilderness for days, and you enjoy a route packed with history 
and scenery, then this one’s worth taking on. Just be ready for the climbing t’s not one to 
underestimate. If you have 3/4 days spare for some adventure cycling and a gps unit for mapping 
then you might want to give this route ago. Direction of travel
Being a loop, you can ride the Marcher Castles Way in either direction 
and I did look at the elevation profile before setting off and thought the reverse might 
actually be the better option. But having now ridden it, I do think the official 
direction is probably the right call. The climbs in this direction are generally a 
bit smoother and more rideable, which definitely helps when you’re grinding uphill with gear. The 
descents might be a little rougher going this way, but honestly, that’s what you want it’s much more 
enjoyable riding the rougher stuff downhill than having to push or struggle your way up it.
So while both ways are totally doable, I’d recommend sticking with the official 
direction unless you’ve got a very specific reason to reverse it. It flows well, and the tough 
sections feel a bit more manageable this way. Which Bike? I took this on with a flat bar gravel bike 
running 50mm tyres and a 38 x 11/46 gearing setup. Overall, it handled the route pretty well. 
There wasn’t much I couldn’t ride or didn’t feel confident riding, but I’m not going to lie — 
there were definitely a few climbs where I’d have loved an extra gear or two. Some of the 
climbing is steep and just keeps on coming, so having something easier to spin would 
make those moments a bit more manageable. I tackled this in pretty dry conditions. 
Even though I had some rain during the trip, the trails had been baked dry 
for a couple of weeks beforehand, so most of them were hard-packed and even 
dusty in places. In that kind of weather, a big-tyred gravel bike can be a solid option, but 
id recommend only using a gravel bike if you’re used to riding rougher tracks already with a bit 
more experience. That said, for most people, I’d probably recommend going with a hardtail mountain 
bike. You’ll want something with reliable brakes and the easiest gearing you can get. A lot of 
the route is wide, double-track style trails, but that doesn’t always mean they’re smooth. And when 
the rain does come. which, let’s face it, in the Shropshire hills is never too far away. a mountain 
bike’s extra grip, comfort, and braking power will make a big difference on this route especially 
if the trails are a little on the wetter side. Wild camping or accommodation
When it comes to where to sleep along the Marcher Castles Way, you’ve actually 
got a lot of flexibility. Whether you’re into wild camping, prefer booking a BnB, or want 
something in between like a proper campsite, this route gives you all of those options.
The route passes through a good number of small towns and villages. While they’re not packed 
with accommodation, most of them have at least a few places to stay, whether it’s a small hotel, 
or a pub with rooms. So if you’re not into wild camping or just want a bit more comfort, this 
route would be fairly easy to do that way. As for wild camping, there are definitely 
some good options along the route, especially if you’re willing to head a bit 
higher up. Most of the better wild camping spots are on the more exposed side, up on the 
hills, which means the views can be amazing, but so can the wind. The Shropshire Hills can 
get pretty blustery, so make sure your tent is up to the job if you’re planning to camp up 
top. Wouldn’t want you to get blown away now. There are also a few wooded sections that could 
be useful if you need to get out of the weather, but they’re fewer and further apart, so you might 
need to plan your days a bit more carefully to reach them. If wild camping’s not really your 
thing but you still want to sleep outside, a quick search will show there are quite a few official 
campsites around the Shropshire Hills too. Basically, whatever your camping 
style is this route has you covered. food and water
Food and water on this route are fairly easy to manage. You’re never really too 
far from a shop or café where you can resupply for the day. Realistically, you’re only ever 
about 30 miles or less between resupply points, which makes this a nice route if you don’t 
want to carry loads of food or water. As long as you’ve got enough to get you from one 
town or village to the next, you’ll be fine. You can filter water along the way, but 
when I rode it, a lot of the streams and natural sources had dried up. So if 
you’re riding in hot or dry conditions, it’s a good idea to carry a bit extra just in 
case. There are plenty of climbs on this route, and being dehydrated will make them feel a lot 
worse. Plan ahead a bit and top up when you can. Difficulty
This is one of Cycling UK’s tougher routes, but not because it’s overly technical. Most of 
the riding is on wider doubletrack and smoother gravel paths, with some rougher sections here and 
there. If you’ve got some off-road experience, you’ll probably find most of the terrain very 
rideable, especially in dry conditions. But beginners or anyone not used to uneven trails 
might find a few sections a bit more challenging, especially when the ground’s wet or rutted.
The real difficulty comes from the climbing. This route has a lot of it, long, 
steady climbs and short, punchy ones, often one after the other. It can feel pretty 
relentless, and with a fully loaded bike, it will definitely start to add up. You’ll feel 
those climbs in your legs by the end of each day. That said, one of the things that makes this route 
more manageable is how often you pass through small towns or villages. You’re never really 
too far from civilisation, which means food, water, and even a bed for the night are never 
too far away if you need them. It’s has a really good balance. physically demanding, but 
not logistically overwhelming. You don’t need to carry days’ worth of supplies, and that can 
make a huge difference on long rides like this. Other things to keep in mind: weather can change 
quickly in the Shropshire Hills, and wind can make some of the exposed sections tough going. But 
if you get a good weather window, the trails are mostly fast-rolling and dry, especially in summer. 
The climbs are tough, but the scenery is amazing. Tough climbs but the views make it worth it.
So overall, I’d give this route a 7.5 out of 10 for difficulty. It’s one of the more 
physically demanding routes Cycling UK has put out, mainly because of the hills and 
the sustained effort needed across multiple days. But with the right setup and a bit of 
fitness, it’s definitely a rewarding one to take on. But maybe not if you are a beginner. 
Cycling uk has some easier routes to choice from. Overall rating Overall, I think the Marcher Castles Way might 
just be my favourite out of all the Cycling UK routes I’ve ridden. It’s definitely one of 
the tougher ones in terms of physical effort, the amount of climbing adds up quickly, and some 
of it is pretty relentless. But it’s the kind of climbing that when you make it to the top of 
the hill rewards you with spectacular views over the shropshire hills. Most of the time at least. 
Almost every hill rewards you with a great descent or a stunning view at the top, and more often 
than not, a castle waiting just around the corner. That’s what makes this route stand out. 
You’re constantly pedalling through history, with ruins and ancient landmarks scattered all 
the way along. It gives the ride a real sense of purpose, it’s not just about getting 
from A to B, suffering along the terrain. Might be a little of that though…it’s about 
discovering the stories hidden in these hills. The riding itself is a great mix. While the 
climbs are tough in places, most of the trails are wide and rideable, with only a few rougher 
sections that might catch out less experienced riders. There are some brilliant descents that 
let you open things up a bit and enjoy the flow. Even when your legs are aching, you’re still 
motivated to push on just to see what’s next. What really helps the route is how it links 
together. You’re rarely too far from a village or small town, which makes planning resupplies 
or even a night in a B&B a lot easier if needed. That takes some of the pressure off and 
makes it more accessible than some of the more remote routes out there, while still giving 
you that remote adventures feeling along the way So for me, with the mix of demanding but 
fun riding, great views, loads of history, and that sense of exploring something really 
unique I’d give this a solid 9 out of 10. Hopefully this gives you a better idea of 
what to expect from the Marcher Castles Way and helps you decide if it’s the kind of 
adventure you want to take on. If you’ve got any questions about the route, feel free to 
drop them in the comments. And if you’re heading out there yourself have a great adventure and 
remember keep smiling and enjoy the adventure