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Tors of Bodmin Moor

Cornwall AONB Walk

Region - Cornwall AONB

County/Area - Cornwall

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 10.0 miles / 16.3 km    Ascent - 1400 feet / 424 metres

Time - 6 hours 20 minutes    Grade - moderate

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer 109Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer 109Digital Map1:25kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Tors of Bodmin Moor
Click image to see photo description.

This Bodmin Moor walk explores some of the granite tors in this wild landscape. The route does include some pathless sections so a 1:25k OS map and good navigation will be useful during the walk. The walk includes Brown Willy, the highest point in Cornwall, plus Louden Hill, Rough Tor, Alex Tor, and Butter's Tor. As you make progress around the route you pass evidence of prehistoric monuments and medieval King Arthur's Hall. The ground can be wet after heavy rain, so it is better to wait for a period of dry weather before setting out on this walk.

The start is Rough Tor car park (grid ref. SX138818) which lies to the south-east of Camelford. After parking exit along the track heading south-east. 200 metres past the small plantation on your left, head half right off the main path onto a path making for Rough Tor. Continue for 200 metres and then leave this path and head across open country aiming the lower slopes on the right of Rough Tor.

As you pass the highest point on Rough Tor, veer slightly right and head up the slope to the summit of Louden Hill (grid ref. SX137803) which is strewn with rocks. From the summit head south across grass to reach a clear track (grid ref. SX136797). Bear right along the track soon passing Louden Hill stone circle which lies a short way off the track on your left. Continue along the track passing Camperdown Farm on your left. Continue along the track to the end of the wall on your left.

From the wall end, bear half left across grass to the top of Alex Tor which again is strewn with rocks. From here head south to walk alongside a wall on your left. This wall leads you to a lane at Candra (grid ref. SX118779). Turn left along the lane and pass between the buildings at Candra. The lane crosses a small stream (grid ref. SX120779) and then bends to the left. Leave the lane at this point and head across grass to a stone wall. Keep this wall on your right and continue for 700 metres to the end of the wall.

Keep straight on soon passing the remains of King Arthur's Hall on your left. These can be explored by crossing the stile on your left. From here follow a clear path east. After 500 metres you reach a wall corner (grid ref. SX135776). The path runs parallel to this wall before passing through a group of trees. Exiting the trees, bear right through a gap in the wall to join a much clearer path that leads through small enclosures to Garrow Farm (grid ref. SX146779). Pass to the right of the farmhouse and follow a clear track north across the moor.

Stay on the track keeping the De Lank River on your right. 800 metres beyond the farmhouse you reach a ford (grid ref. SX149786). Turn right across the small river, pass to the right of the derelict farm, and continue through the small walled enclosures to the top of Butter's Tor. Descend from the Tor in a north-easterly direction, aiming for where a clear track crosses a stream (grid ref. SX157785). Follow the track north for 600 metres with the next objective, Brown Willy, rising on your right.

Leave the track and head across pathless grass and make your way up onto the southern end of Brown Willy's ridge. You reach a cairn on an outcrop of rock. This is not the true summit and you to continue along the ridge to reach the trig point. Being the highest point in Cornwall the view is superb including substantial parts of the route so far.

Descend north from Brown Willy on a clear path which soon swings west to cross a small river. From here head up the slopes to the summit of Rough Tor, which in my opinion, is a more interesting summit area. Leave the summit in northerly direction to pass over the minor summit of Showery Tor (grid ref. SX149813). From here make a beeline northwest to the car park which can be clearly seen.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1883 Advent Churcheasy5.2 miles
Walk 1029 Tintagel to Boscastlemoderate9.0 miles
Walk 3606 Berry Down from St Neoteasy/mod5.6 miles
Walk 2730 St Gennys & Castle Point from Crackington Haveneasy/mod3.0 miles
Walk 2731 Cambeak & Crackington Haveneasy/mod4.3 miles
Walk 2247 Draynes Bridge & Siblyback Lakeeasy/mod5.0 miles
Walk 3264 Port Quin & Port Isaac Circulareasy/mod5.7 miles
Walk 1076 Dizzard Point & Crackington Havenmoderate8.0 miles
Walk 3755 Dizzard Point, Millook from Penhalt Cliffmoderate6.0 miles
Walk 2462 The Rumps & Pentire Pointeasy/mod4.0 miles

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