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Walk of the Month: Luxulyan Valley Circular
A circular walk following the leats and horse-drawn tramways through the World Heritage site of the Luxulyan Valley to the massive viaduct which carried the tramways towards Newquay and water to winch the trams up the valley with a huge waterwheel, recommended in guidebooks as early as the 1920s "as one of the most glorious walks in all Cornwall".
Highlights include:
- Lush broadleaf woodland in the Luxulyan Valley
- Victorian industrial heritage including the massive Treffry Viaduct
- Riverside wildlife including dragonflies and damselflies
The route begins at the Black Hill Luxulyan Valley car park and climbs up to the Treffry Viaduct. The route then follows the trackbed of the horse-drawn tramway to the wheelpit where a 30ft waterwheel once hauled wagons up the inclined plane, which you then walk down to follow the leat that powered the waterwheels of the Fowey Consols mine.
From here the route follows a path through Carmears Wood to join the Velvet Path which it follows back to the inclined plane. The walk then descends to the bottom of the inclined plane and follows the lower path alongside the river passing Trevanny Dry and beneath the viaduct to complete the circular route.
Gradients: There is a fairly short climb near the start of the walk to reach the path running from the viaduct. There is another fairly short climb as the walk approaches Trethevy Wood.
Dogs: There are no stiles on this walk. There are no fields with livestock on the route.
Distance: 3.4 miles – Steepness: Easy-moderate
Footwear: Walking shoes
This is a nice shady walk on a hot summer day and away from the crowds on the coast.
Read more and download the walk here!
iWalk Cornwall
iWalk Cornwall is a collection of thoughtfully-crafted circular walks and a guided walks mobile app created by two brothers from Trewarmett who are passionate about the mindboggling number of amazing things in Cornwall.
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