Exploring Camelford and beyond

Camelford nestles in a river valley on the western side of Bodmin Moor. It has a long and distinguished history, having originated as a strategic river crossing that was granted a Royal Charter as early as the 13th century, giving it the right to hold markets and fairs. The old coaching road to the west skirted the raw uplands of Bodmin Moor and passed through Camelford. Today the town retains its strong historical character despite incessant through-traffic.

Riverside paths

The start of this walk delivers you instantly into leafy riverside shade and peace and quiet. From Camelford's Town Hall you cross the narrow Fore Street and pass through an arched passageway called 'The Moors', another indication of an older Camelford that had immediate references to the great sweep of Bodmin Moor to the east. Here it is all wooded riverside paths that take you downstream alongside the River Camel. After 0.5 miles (800m) or so the route climbs away from the river through quiet meadows, and a wonderful trout pond garden at Trethin, to reach the handsome Advent Church of St Athwenna. The church has a flourishing breeding colony of rare brown long-eared bats.

Rocky ridge

From the church the route leads through fields and along quiet lanes with unexpected views of the dragon-backed rocky ridge of Roughtor (pronounced Rowtor) and its higher neighbouring hill, the more rounded Brown Willy, the highest point in Cornwall at 1,378ft (420m). At Watergate, you pass through an intriguing area of old walls and terraces that may have been part of a mill complex; today the walls are muffled with velvety moss, the ground is thick with lush grass. Soon higher ground is reached at Moorgate, another name echoing the area's domination by Bodmin Moor. From here you head back towards Camelford, passing along some engagingly muddy lanes on the way.

From the pavement opposite the town hall, walk up Fore Street past the Darlington Inn for 50yds (46m). Go left through an archway signed 'Riverside Walk'. Follow the riverside path across a footbridge and downstream.

At a surfaced lane and beside a bridge, turn right and uphill. At the top of a steep incline, just past Fenteroon Farm, go left and through a gate, signposted 'Public Footpath'. Follow the fenced path along the field-edge and across the next field. Go over a very high stile and descend through woods towards the river. Ignore the stile on the right and keep down left to a signpost in the valley bottom. Cross the meadow ahead, then go left over a bridge and bear right through a tangle of trees. Bear steeply up left to pass a footpath post and gate. Keep uphill to reach a stile into a lane.

Turn right, then, just past the entrance to Trethin Manor, bear off left over a stile, and go through a pleasant garden and orchard and past a fish pond. Cross a granite clapper bridge and a stile, then go up the field to Advent churchyard, entering via a stile and gate. Tea, coffee and squash are available in the church..

From the east end of the churchyard (on the opposite corner) go through a metal gate and over a wooden stile and bear half right across a field to three stiles in quick succession. Cross two fields then follow the right-hand field-edge to three stiles in the hedge. Bear left across the middle of the next field to its far corner and over two stiles on to a surfaced lane. Turn left.

Turn left just before the stream and T-junction by Watergate Farm. Go over two stiles and alongside the stream on stone flags. Pass a little enclosure, follow the stream for a short distance, then bear left to skirt high gorse; then bear right downhill to pick up the path over stiles into a field. Keep in the same direction, climbing gently, to find a stile into the next field. Bear half left, having swerved around the morass of impenetrable grasses, to reach the lane at Moorgate Farm, aiming for a kissing gate between buildings.

Cross the lane. If the right of way across a high bank is impassable, go through the farm entrance and cross a stile to the left of a barn. Keep ahead across two fields and along the left edge of a third, then continue along a stony track through fields to reach another lane at Aldermoor Farm. Turn left along the lane, eventually reaching Treclago Farm.

Just before the farmhouses, on the right, turn right up a track, as signed by a faded guidepost propped against a stone barn. Soon, at a junction of tracks, head straight on. This section can be very muddy. Descend to a gate and head down a meadow to a gate and stile. Cross a wooden footbridge over a stream, then climb steeply uphill to reach a surfaced lane. Follow the lane, College Road, to reach Camelford.