South Wheal Frances, Great  Flat Lode	Portreath Incline, off Portreath Branchline	Wheal Uny, Redruth and Chacewater

ON THIS PAGE

INTRODUCTION

COAST TO COAST TRAIL

Portreath to Scorrier

The Loops

Poldice to Devoran

Great Flat Lode Trail

Redruth and Chacewater Railway

Portreath Branchline

Tolgus Trail

Tresavean Trail

REVIEWS INDEX and SITE CONTENTS

The Mineral Tramways Trails

In 2006 UNESCO World Heritage status was granted to large areas of the mining landscape of Cornwall and West Devon.  While much of the credit for this achievement must go to organisations like the Trevithick Truat and the National Trust, and to many concerned individuals, Cornwall County Council acted as a major driver.  Indeed their Mineral Tramways Project has, in its way, underpinned the whole business by opening up access to many of the inportant sites in the Camborne/Redruth area.  We first discoverd about the existence of mineral tramways when walking around Minions on Bodmin Moor and finding double lines of granite setts.  When we learned about the opening of the Mineral Tramways - the Great Flat Lode and the Coast to Coast - we walked those and loved them.  In 2006 work began to open up another 20 miles - the Redruth and Chacewater Railway Trail , the Portreath Branchline, the Tolgus Trail, the Tresavean Trail and a Tehidy Trail through Tehidy Park from Portreath.  Opening of all these was originally planned for 2008.  As so often with grand publicly funded projects, the timetable slipped and now, in October 2009, some sections are still unfinished - and one may never quite be completed.  More details in the box below and under individual trails.

Carn Brea Mine, at the start of the Great Flat Lode Trail

Websites Mineral Tramways (download guide & map) and Mining Heritage

UPDATE OCTOBER 2009   Despite a grand launch of the new trails, held at the Elm Farm Cycle Centre at Cambrose on 26 September 2009, this is the real situation.  The Redruth and Chacewater is effectively complete, linking the Coast-to-Coast at Twelveheads with the Great Flat Lode and Redruth Church Town.  The Portreath Branchline is still being worked on.  When complete it will link Portreath to the Great Flat Lode at Brea Village, thus completing a new longer, and more interesting, route from Portreath to Devoran.  Sadly it looks like the Portreath Incline will not after all be the crowning glory of this trail but, at least, there is an alternative route down to Portreath from Gwel-an-Mor.  The Tolgus Trail has not yet been started and, when built, will only link the Coast-to-Coast to Treasure Park, and therefore Tolgus Tin, a distance of only about one mile.  The 2 mile Tresavean Trail, off the Redruth and Chacewater, was completed some while ago. The Tehidy Trail is also complete.

INTRODUCTION

COAST TO COAST TRAIL

Portreath to Scorrier

The Loops

Poldice to Devoran

Great Flat Lode Trail

Redruth and Chacewater Railway

Portreath Branchline

Tolgus Trail

Tresavean Trail

SITE CONTENTS

Coast to Coast Mineral Tramways - Portreath to Devoran

During winter 2006 I had walked the Copper Trail around Bodmin Moor.  In May I walked St. Michael's Way and the Saints Way, both coast to coast trails.  In June 2006 I added in another trail, this one from Portreath on the north coast to Devoran on the south.  The trail, open to cyclists and horse riders as well as walkers, follows horse-drawn tramways that once served the rich tin and copper mines to the east of Redruth;  first the old Portreath Tramroad to Scorrier, then the Redruth and Chacewater Railway.  It is easy walking, gentle gradients take you up to only 300 feet at Scorrier.  There is some refreshment along the way, pubs and cafés at Portreath, the Fox and Hounds at Scorrier, a café at the cycle hire centres at Cambrose and Bissoe and the excellent Old Quay Inn at Devoran.  Jane and I had previously walked the central part of the trail - the Wheal Busy and Beside Loops - so to complete the route I walked Portreath to Scorrier and back and Devoran to Poldice and back.  The former has little interest, but the latter and the Loops are filled with mine remains and lovely views.  Waymarking is tasteful and good.  Sadly there is no public transport usefully linking any of the points along the route but serious walkers will do the whole route, and back again, in the day.

The first waymarker at Portreath

Portreath-Scorrier  --   The Loops   --  Poldice-Devoran

UPDATE OCTOBER 2009   With the Redruth and Chacewater Trail effectively complete, there is now a link between the Coast-to-Coast and the Great Flat Lode.  So you could now set off from Portreath or Devoran, detour at Twelveheads on the Redruth and Chacewater to Breamarth Farm, do a loop on the Great Flat Lode, and return to Twelveheads on the Redruth and Chacewater to complete the trek to the other coast.  I reckon this must make a total route of about 35 miles, a bit much for even the most enthusiastic walker but surely within the compass of fit cyclists and horses and riders.  When the Portreath Branchline is complete another alternative will offer, a longer Coast-to-Coast using - starting at Portreath - the Portreath Branchline, the Great Flat Lode and the Coast-to-Coast from Twelveheads to Devoran.  I reckon that this will be around 22 miles, walkable in one go for some.

Return to Mineral Tramways
Return to Trails
Return to Coast and Countryside
Return to Reviews Contents

Coast to Coast - Portreath to Scorrier - 5 miles

I parked at Scorrier and did this as an out-and-back.  This is the one part of the trail that has virtually no interest along it, not even views, which may explain how I was able to my ten miles in just three hours.  Apart from a few granite setts showing that a tramway really did run along here, the only thing I found relating to the old tramway was an abandoned truck near Mawla.  And there was far too much road for my comfort.  Happily that is only true on this section.  At least I enjoyed run-down Portreath as usual.

Abandoned tramway truck near Mawla	Wheal Rose near Scorrier

Return to Coast to Coast Mineral Tramways
Return to Mineral Tramways
Return to Trails
Return to Coast and Countryside
Return to Reviews Contents

Coast to Coast - Wheal Busy and Beside Loops - 5 miles

This is the section - two loops either side of the centre section of the trail - that Jane and I did in April 2004.  It is a fascinating and easy short walk, with more mine remains than anywhere except maybe South Caradon and the St. Just area and probably best done in May when the bluebells are out in Wheal Unity wood.  I did this part again in October 2007 as part of a day when I also revisited Wheal Peevor for some more photos, this time with sun in the west, and investigated progress on the Portreath Branchline trail.  My recommendation to anyone walking the coast to coast would be to deviate at Wheal Rose to take the Wheal Busy and Little Beside Loops - much more interest that way.

Wheal Busy Bible Christian Chapel	Impressive chimney at Poldice

Return to Coast to Coast Mineral Tramways
Return to Mineral Tramways
Return to Trails
Return to Coast and Countryside
Return to Reviews Contents

Coast to Coast - Poldice to Devoran - 5 miles

I enjoyed this one so much that, when I had done my planned 10 miles out-and-back from Devoran, I did another 3 miles walking along the foreshore of Restronguet Creek to Point and back.  Both interest and views along this section are good and, at regular intervals, there are informative story boards.  For added interest at the Poldice end, when you get to Todpool walk up the hill to the tall Poldice chimney and take a higher level route down to the trail.  Look out for the Wesleyan Chapel at Twelveheads.  Take a break at the café at Bissoe Cycle Hire.  Take a close look at the Carnon River, lined with red copper silt.  And take another at Carnon railway viaduct, where the piers of Brunel's original viaduct still stand.  If you have time, explore Devoran and have lunch at the excellent Old Quay Inn.

Carnon River at Bissoe arsenic works	Carnon viaduct - note Brunel's original piers

Return to Coast to Coast Mineral Tramways
Return to Mineral Tramways
Return to Trails
Return to Coast and Countryside
Return to Reviews Contents

The Great Flat Lode Trail around Carn Brea

A 7½ mile trail, a little to the south of Camborne and Redruth, circles Carn Brea hill, around what was once the busiest tin and copper mining area in the world.  Mostly the trail consists of well-laid paths on former mineral tramways.  Signage is good and there are only two minor climbs along the way.  Three detours are suggested.  The first, if you would like to lengthen the trail and enjoy glorious views, is to climb Carn Brea Hill, easily identified by its Castle and eye-catching Bassett Monument.  The second is to see St. Euny church with its massive lych-gate coffin rest and some fascinating tombs.  The third is for lunch at the ordinary-seeming but quite excellent Countryman Inn at Piece (good value hot beef, onion, mushroom baguette for me, super giant Cornish pasty for Jane).  For interest, try the Trevithick Society's museum at King Edward Mine near the end of the walk;  we stopped at their bookshop and enjoyed a chat with the duty curator;  later I had a guided tour of King Edward and thought it was superbly done.  When walking the Great Flat Lode we like to park just south of the railway near Tincroft Mine;  there was once a Tramways Centre here but now you need to go to King Edward or to Cornish Mines and Engines for information.  OS Explorer 104 but trail leaflet suffices.

Marriott's Shaft at South Wheal Frances mine

More Images of the Great Flat Lode

More Images of the Great Flat Lode Trail

I have walked the Great Flat Lode Trail on several occasions - and have walked parts of it when visiting Carn Brea.  I revisited in April 2007, partly for the walk, mostly to take new photos.  To that end I made one or two variations to take in mines not on the trail that I hadn't been to before.  Wheal Uny is only just off the trail but is easily missed.  Williams Shaft at Dolcoath is quite some way off the trail, up a steep hill to the south-west of Brea village.  Despite the terrible state of the site, it is worth a visit just for the plaque which describes how the Morgan's patent traversing engine operated the winding gear on the 3000ft deep shaft.  I had hoped to visit the museum at King Edward Mine but that has a short season and does not open till May.  As usual, I stopped for lunch at the excellent value Countryman Inn at Piece.  I also stopped for coffee at the pub in Brea but was unimpressed.  One thing about the Great Flat Lode Trail puzzles me.  A lot of money must have been spent in making the trail usable by cyclists, so why have I never seen a single cyclist on it - even on the section that is part of the National Cycle Network.  Something must be wrong either with the original market research prior to building the trail or else it has been poorly promoted.  Not that I mind, each time I walk it I have it to myself except for dog walkers and the occasional horse rider.

Nicely executed romanesque arches at South Tincroft	This striking building was the ore crusher at South Wheal Frances

UPDATE OCTOBER 2009   At last I have seen cyclists on the Great Flat Lode Trail.  In September 2009 Jane and I attended King Edward Mine's Open Day, which we enjoyed.  To fill out our day we walked the Trail from King Edward to South Wheal Frances and back, lunching at the Countryman at Piece.  To our surprise we saw a group of about 15 cyclists on the trail, clearly enjoying themselves.  We also saw a family on hired bikes.  The children were finding it very hard going - the trail is by no means  flat - and we think they probably gave up and turned back.

Return to Great Flat Lode Trail
Return to Mineral Tramways
Return to Trails
Return to Coast and Countryside
Return to Reviews Contents

Redruth and Chacewater Trail - the Great Flat Lode to Twelveheads

I had walked, as far as practicable, the line of this route in November 2006.  Then in August 2007 Jane and I joined a superb guided walk on part of the projected route.  Our guides were mining men Eric Rabjohns and Mark Kaczmarek and Trevithick Society industrial archaeologist Kingsley Rickard - all most informative, knowledgeable and entertaining.  The walk was from Lanner reservoir to Bissoe, about 5 miles.  After tea at Bissoe Cycle Hire café a minibus took the 22 of us back.  The trail should have been completed in 2008 and was mostly walkable then.  Now, in October 2009, the trail is at last effectively complete.  A linear walk, the Redruth and Chacewater Trail has as much to offer as the Great Flat Lode Trail.  Looked at west-to-east,  Redruth Church Town to Twelveheads, it takes in - if you make occasional small detours - St. Uny's church, Wheal Uny mine, Pennance Consols engine house, fascinating Carharrack village and its shute, Wheal Maid Valley, United Downs mine and its massive and colourful tailings dam and a glimpse of the amazing County Adit.  My one disappointment is that, from Pennance Consols, the Trail follows a low level route to Carharrack.  From a walkers's point of view it is far better to continue up over Carn Marth - for its quarry amphitheatre and wonderful views - and then head down again - mostly by bridleways - to reach Carharrack and rejoin the trail.

Part of the massive tailings dam in Wheal Maid Valley

The Land's End Trail uses part of this Mineral Tramway trail

UPDATE OCTOBER 2009   When the Portreath Branchline is completed, I hope before the end of 2009, you will be able to use it as part of an alternative Coast-to-Coast route.  From Portreath take the Portreath Branchline to Brea village, join the Great Flat Lode Trail, preferably on its southern loop.  Leave at Breamarth Farm or Redruth Church Town (if using the northern loop) to pick up the Redruth and Chacewater.  Follow that to Twelveheads to join the Coast-to Coast to Devoran.  Total mileage around 35.

Return to Mineral Tramways
Return to Trails
Return to Coast and Countryside
Return to Reviews Contents

The Portreath Branchline - Portreath to Higher Brea

The Portreath Branchline Trail  links Portreath with Illogan, Camborne/Pool and Higher Brea and links with both the Tehidy Trail and the Great Flat Lode Trail.  It was due to open in 2008 but the problems that bedevil such massive publicly funded projects have meant considerable delays.  Linking to the important Hayle Railway, the Portreath Branchline opened in 1836, carrying freight and passengers, and continued in use as a freight line until 1936.  The most important feature was the steep incline plane at the Portreath harbour end.  Sadly, it seems that the viaduct at the foot is not to be restored and used but there is an alternative route up to Feadon Farm.  Although, as a cycle trail, the route is not quite complete, I walked the Trail, from Portreath Harbour to Higher Brea, in early October 2009.  This report is my update.  Near the start a fairly steep path climbs 250 feet up the Feadon Valley.  After that it's all fairly level going.  There is quite a lot of road, and not a lot of interest, on the way to Park Bottom.  After that it's nearly all off-road.  The interest starts after going under the A30:  handsome contemporary buildings at Cornwall College;  interesting little Tuckingmill Park;  a delightful 1843 Wesley Chapel and charming terraces of cottages in Tuckingmill;  a route through scrub following the tiny Red River to Higher Brea, itself an attractive village;  and disused and contemporary mine features at South Crofty.

Sadly, it seems that the incline plane will not now be part of the route

Portreath Incline, looking down to Portreath

THE PORTREATH BRANCHLINE AS A MULTI-USE TRAIL  Cyclists will find this trail best suited to them although some may not like the climb up to Feadon Farm.  There is a fair amount of road, mostly very quiet, so they can make good progress on the trail.  Horse Riders are not recommended to try the whole trail.  The path up from Portreath is fairly narrow but that's not their biggest problem.  That problem is the amount of road and particularly road crossing.  As a horse rider I wouldn't want to cross the A3047 in Tuckingmill.  Walkers will not like the amount of road on the trail but they can cut some of it out.  After Trengove, cross the first road, where others turn right, and continue to Woodbine Lane for a footpath to Spar Lane.  Because of the route after the A30, walkers will probably get the most out of this trail, thanks to all the interest along that section.

Return to Mineral Tramways
Return to Trails
Return to Coast and Countryside
Return to Reviews Contents

The Tolgus Trail

In tried this one, due to open in 2008, in August 2007.  Intended to link the centre of Redruth with the Coast-to-Coast trail near Portreath, I could find no way in which it could include any off-road.  From the plan in the leaflet it appeared to follow the Redruth-Portreath road under the A30, then Old Portreath Road to Sparnon Gate, then a right turn at the Cornish Arms and a left to rejoin the main Portreath road to just past Cambrose, only then joining the Coast-to-Coast by the lane to Cambridge Farm.  No fun for walkers and little more for cyclists.  It would surely be better to use Old Portreath Road, joining the main trail at Bridge.  Probably the reason for the proposed route is to take the trail past Tolgus Tin and Treasure Park, a major tourist attraction.  I parked at Treasure Park, followed a farm track to the Old Portreath Road, crossed to the Coast-to-Coast at Bridge, left it at Cambridge Farm and returned to Treasure Park on the main Portreath road.  After a sandwich I followed the main Portreath road into Redruth, returning on Old Portreath Road, a track to Tolgus Mount and a path to Sparnon Gate for a coffee at the welcoming Cornish Arms.  Along the way I saw the Murdoch Flyer replica at the Tesco roundabout in Redruth and Tolgus Calciner.  The roads are far too busy for walkers or horse riders to use;  I don't think I shall do this one again.  Things all change with the 2009 update below.

The Murdoch Flyer - on a Redruth roundabout by Tesco

A great disappointment, this trail

UPDATE OCTOBER 2009   I had always assumed that the Tolgus Trail was intended to run all the way from the Coast-to-Coast at Camrose into Redruth to link up with the Redruth and Chacewater coming into Redruth from the other direction.  Indeed, the early Mineral Tramways maps showed it doing just that.  The new map and guide has disabused me of that notion and left me disappointed.  All that the Tolgus Trail will now achieve is to create an off-road link from the Coast-to-Coast to Treasure Park, a tourist venue that may appeal to the average visitor to Cornwall but is surely unlikely to draw walkers, cyclists and horse riders.  And those that do use it will miss the Tolgus Calciner and the Murdoch Flyer.

Return to Mineral Tramways
Return to Trails
Return to Coast and Countryside
Return to Reviews Contents

The Tresavean Trail

In August 2007, after doing a circular walk up and around Carn Marth, Jane and I took a short walk along the 2 mile Tresavean Trail.  We hadn't expected much of it so were pleasantly surprised.  This was part of a link from the famous early Hayle Railway to Tresavean Mine.   From the small car park on Lanner Hill by the domed reservoir the trail leads roughly south-south-west uphill.  Partly in a cutting, but mostly in the open, views towards  Carn Marth and over Lanner village open out, as the trail climbs, to include more distant United Downs.  At the far end of the trail a section of old rail has been laid on granite setts and a polished granite block carries a brief explanation of the trail.  Except as a dog walker, this little trail is scarcely worth walking on its own.  However, now that the Redruth and Chacewater Trail is fully open, you can easily fit the Tresavean Trail in as a handy detour from it.  The two link close to Lanner Reservoir.   There is a small car park right on the Redruth and Chacewater, opposite Lanner Reservoir.

Tresavean Trail - Jane strides out through a cutting

Parking close to Lanner Reservoir

Return to Mineral Tramways
Return to Trails
Return to Coast and Countryside
Return to Reviews Contents