The Copper Trail

2 or 3 days, Walking Grade : Moderate Grade on little walked routes

A 22 mile walk over 2 days or 32 miles with the third day option.

Through the hidden heart of Cornwall, be one of the first to walk Cornwall's hidden mid distance paths.

Day 1

Your short break covers the most dramatic and inspiring parts of what is a six day circular trail passing abandoned mines, wild moorland, hidden valleys and the mystical Neolithic sites that form the edge of the mighty moor. A place of mystery and legend and a long way from the bustle and tourist trappings of the coastal towns.

Walking the Copper trail offers peace, solitude and inspiring and dramatic scenery and sights spanning thousands of years of civilisation left now to the occasional walker, buzzards, curlews and out there somewhere... the infamous panther like beast of Bodmin.

Dropped high in the stunning moorland outside Minions your walking takes you via the stunning naturally balanced outcrop at the Cheesewring on Stowes Hill. Through Neolithic burial grounds and passing through three well preserved stone circles, The Hurlers and The Pipers, you continue along old long disused mining tramways to drop through dramatic scenery left from the industrial past of 200 years ago dropping into the valleys on the edge of the moor.

After a stop for refreshments at the Crow's Nest Inn your walk takes you to Cornwall's own mini Stonehenge at Trethevy Quoit. Onto the infant stages of the mighty Fowey River passing its falls at Golitha before joining the Two Valleys way through carpets of bluebells in spring and a last climb to the Iron Age Hill fort at Berry Castle. From this lofty height a sharp descent into the welcoming village of St Neot for your overnight B&B in this appealing moorland village.

Day 2

Day 2 sees you climbing back to the wilder sections of the southern moor at wild and lonely Collingford Lake before winding over the tor at Carburrow on a mixture of open moor, track and open moorland road, all with stunning views south towards the coast.

Passing through the remains of the Wheal Whisper mining complex your route passes inscribed stones crumbling mining chimneys and the abandoned mounds of the Castle at Cardinham. Entering Cardinham Woods you follow 4 miles of dense forest trails through to the edge of the moor once more above Bodmin for a last encounter with the buzzards and curlews before a quick descent and a chance to look round this ancient and historic moorland centre.

Day 3 : Optional extra day

From Bodmin your route takes you onto the Camel Trail, a stunning cycle way reclaimed from a former railway and running through the dense woods and forest tracing the upper Camel River as it winds back towards the moor. Heading on through the pretty moorland village of Blisland with its award winning real ale pub The Blisland Inn.  The afternoon's route crosses the De Lank River before it continues through steadily rougher pasture and disused quarry skirting the edge of the moor to the village of St Breward with fine views from its escapement over the upper Camel Valley.

The day ends here perhaps with some reflection in The Old Inn resting in front of its huge fireplace which has stood on this spot since the 11th Century offering shelter to those who also navigated this majestic and infamous moor.

Additional Days: Those who want to complete the full circular trail need to allow six days for walking it. Please call for further information on the route and prices.