A488 & A489 - Shrewsbury to Craven Arms

Chris Kay pointed this great route out. It takes in some excellent scenery and offers some very challenging bends - especially up the Hope Valley. An ideal route to practice steering/cornering. This is definitely a bikers road - the cafe at Craven arms was full of bikers.

The route is mostly NSL (National Speed Limit).

Chris writes: Shrewsbury – Minsterley. Mostly open bends. Can be quite busy. Good views of Pontesbury Hill.

After Minsterley, a long straight followed by a left hand bend. After this bend, the climb up the Hope Valley starts. Try to wait until the road in front is clear, so your progress won’t be hampered. Most of the bends up the valley are blind & some very deceptive; a real test. At the top of the valley, the road straightens & rises slightly for a mile or more. The road then descends as far as Lydham, junction with A 489. This section has plenty of good bends, many of which are blind. It’s easy to be going too fast for some; concentrate on a good line & watch the limit point.

A 489/A 49 to Craven Arms. Mostly fast open bends with good cross views, but beware the left-hander soon after leaving Lydham.

Chris also provided some photos:

A488_1