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Walk 3606 - printer friendly version

Berry Down from St Neot Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 5.6 miles / 9.1 km

Ascent - 800 feet / 242 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference SX184678
Lat 50.4818080 + Long -4.5610533
Postcode PL14 6NG (approx. location only)

This Cornwall walk starts from the village of St Neot on the southern fringe of Bodmin Moor. The route uses quiet country lanes, a section of bridleway and footpaths to explore this beautiful area with its patchwork of fields enclosed by hedges. The walk is named the "Two Valleys Walk" heading up the eastern side of the valley containing the River Neot before climbing up to Berry Hill with its panoramic views across Bodmin Moor and the surrounding countryside. The return leg of the route follows a section of the River Fowey including a lovely section through woodland.

The start is the small car park in St Neot (grid ref. SX184678). After parking turn right and cross the bridge over the St Neot River. Continue up hill and turn left up the lane (School Hill) by the side of the London Inn. After 200 metres bear left and continue up the lane. You soon reach the end of the 30 m.p.h. zone and shortly afterwards reach a road junction (grid ref. SX185680). Bear left here and continue climbing with views gradually opening out to your left across the valley.

Passing the imposing Hilltown Farm built from local granite on your right, you reach another junction (grid ref. SX 184684). Keep straight ahead here and continue along the lane. A lane comes in from the right where you keep straight ahead soon passing the extensive buildings of Tremaddock Farm on your right. Still climbing steadily, the lane gains height with improving views across the surrounding countryside. Keep straight ahead at the next junction ignoring the lane with a no through road sign and continue to reach a T-junction (grid ref. SX193693).

Take the signed Public Bridleway opposite. Go through the gate and continue across the open moor following the waymarks. At the third waymark you can turn right and cross rough ground to reach the trig point on Berry Down from where extensive views over this beautiful part of Cornwall can be enjoyed. Return to the bridleway and continue to a lane (grid ref. SX200692). Turn right downhill and continue along the lane to pass Higher Bowden Farm on your left. Turn left, descend across fields and enter Paddock Wood.

The path follows the river which is down on your left to reach a lane (grid ref. SX209682). Cross the road and continue on the signed footpath (slightly to the left). Turn right at a gate after 50 metres and follow the woodland path to reach the River Fowey. After a short way the path trends to the left away from the river to join a lane. Just before the lane take the stile on your right. Follow the fence left for a short way and then turn sharp right and climb steeply to another stile. Maintain your direction and pass to the left of Treverbyn to a gate and a lane (grid ref. SX203678).

Cross the lane and take the lane opposite and at the next junction turn left. Continue along this lane for about 600 metres to reach a road junction - Wenmouth Cross - with a concrete bus shelter and the cross on your right (grid ref. SX196678). Take the lane signed to Colliford Lake. In a further 200 metres turn left at the next road junction. Reaching a fork after 350 metres, bear left and continue down the lane as far as Higher Newton Farm which is (on your right (grid ref. SX188680). Take the track Just opposite the main entrance to the farm and follow this down to join School Hill. Turn left and retrace your steps back through the village to the car park.

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