Signpost at the start of the trail	Brown Willy seen from Garrow Tor	Medieval Horsebridge over the Tamar

INDEX TO OLIVER'S COMMENTARY ON THE LAND'S END TRAIL

Land's End to Bosullow	Bosullow to St. Erth	St. Erth to Leedstown	Leedstown to Beacon	Beacon to Chiverton Cross
Chiverton X to Mitchell	Mitchell to Tregonetha	Tregonetha to Dunmere	Dunmere to St. Breward	St. Breward to Bolventor
Bolventor to Minions	Minions to Callington	Callington to Tavistock

Stage 1 - Land's End to Bosullow Common - 14 miles

While the Trail elsewhere is entirely inland - though with glimpses of both coasts in many places - this first stage has the added benefit of starting with a glorious coastal view from Dr. Syntax's Head and views of the Longships rocks and lighthouse.  Ignore the sheer tawdriness of the Land's End theme park as you head inland across farmland towards Sennen Cove.  More glorious views once you are above Whitesand Bay, a surfers paradise.  Then the Trail begins to develop its true characteristics as an inland trail.  It is pastureland almost all the way to Chapel Carn Brea.  Along the way, do take a look at Tregiffian Chambered Cairn and on Chapel Carn Brea admire the massive cairn on top.   The way up onto Bartinney Downs is clear and a short detour leads to Bartine Castle.  Between Bartinney and the Sancreed road, the route can be a bit confusing but is then clear enough through Lower Bosatraze and on over Truthwall Common, where you should not miss Tregeseal Circle.  Once at Woon Gumpus Common, to climb to Chun Quoit and Castle, it is plain sailing although you need to be careful to find the right way out of the castle to pass Trehyllys settlement.  A very enjoyable 14 miles in July 2008 with lots of interest along the way

The view north from Dr. Syntax's Head at Land's End

Parking is at the theme park, moderate all day charge

BOSULLOW COMMON TO LAND'S END    I walked this, my final part of the Cornish section east-to-west, in the glorious sunny weather of a September 2009 summer.  Everything, except the dreaded Land's End Theme Park, was looking simply wonderful.  In the course of the walk I discovered two new paths and found another to have been re-instated.  All have been incorporated in the PDF route directions.  Looked at from west-to-east these are.  1. You no longer need to walk any A30 when leaving Land's End.  Instead there is a new bridleway cum cycle track from the theme park exit direct to Maria's Lane.  2. Just north of Bartinney, the sheep stile from the little patch of Open Access land is now passable.  You no longer have to cross a barbed wire fence to avoid it.   3. North of Roselands Caravan Park I discovered a path across open access land that saves a few hundred yards of road walking, always an improvement.

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Stage 2 - Bosullow Common to St. Erth - 12 miles

Another enjoyable stage with superb views from high ground and again plenty of interest along the trail and just off it.  I walked this in late July 2008, after a very wet month, and found it difficult going in places with several waterlogged paths and tracks and luxuriant growth in many places.  The route is generally easy to follow - if you are careful.  Initially the way is very clear - a well made track past Men-an-Tol and Men Scryfa and the Four Parish Stone to Nine Maidens Common.  After the common the trail passes through Bodrifty iron age village and crosses Bosporthennis Common;  here you could detour south for Mulfra Quoit.  Further on, just beyond our right turn from Lady Downs to Woonsmith, a sign points left to Zennor Quoit, another good short detour.  Here we have now (September 2009) been able to re-instate our original route (see box below).  It's straightforward from here to Trencrom Hill and there's just one problem thereafter.  After Polgrean and Pippin Cottage, the path to the rail crossing was completely hidden by rampant growth that I had to mow down with my pole.  When you get to St. Erth, do allow time to have a look at the church and churchyard.  Another very enjoyable stage with all the interest that I like to find along the way, both on and off trail.  Just make sure your boots are waterproof.

Parking is where the track leads to Nine Maidens Common

Rocky Carn Galver seen from the Nine Maidens stone circle

Depending on time and your interests, you may also want to check out the former china clay pit and dries at Baker's Pit near Woonsmith.  And a slightly longer detour at the same point would take you up to Castle-an-Dinas and Rogers Tower - terrific views from here.

ST. ERTH TO BOSULLOW COMMON   I walked this stage East-to-West in glorious summery September weather, the best time to be up on the West Penwith moors with the heather in bloom.  Views were quite superb.  Disappointingly, the only other walkers I encountered were dog walkers near St. Erth and a few sightseers at the Bosullow end.  I found two newly re-cut paths that have allowed us to re-instate the original LET route on Nine Maidens Common and Lady Downs.  Both, I think, have been done by PAROW.  These are our new variations, looked at in a West-to-East direction.  Near the start, just before the Four Parish Stone, you go left and right through a hedge gap, follow the right-hand hedge to another gap and can then follow the left-hand hedge across Nine Maidens Common.  On Lady Downs, the path that followed the right-hand hedge down towards Woonsmith has been re-instated and cuts off the awkward alternative route from the Zennor Quoit signpost.

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Stage 3 - St. Erth to Leedstown - 7 miles

A short and easy stage which you may like to extend by adding in stage 4 for a 15 mile walk from St. Erth to Beacon near Camborne.  Except in the course of the first couple of miles, there is very little interest along the way but that first couple of miles is worth lingering over.  If you didn't visit St. Erth church and churchyard yesterday, do take the chance to do so before you set off;  I think it's a fascinating place.  I also enjoy the two mile walk along the Hayle River;  here look out for Carbis Mill, an attractive collection of buildings soon before the footbridge over the river.  The trail is generally fairly well way-marked from here, through  Kerthen Wood Farm to Conker Hill but you may well encounter problems crossing the two fields towards the byway through Carzise.  There are no way-marks and the barley crop meant I had to skirt both fields.  The stile into the second field is virtually non-existent and difficult to spot.  The second field - barley or plough again - is awkward, too.  Your aiming point is just to the left of the furthest visible telegraph pole.  Then it's totally straightforward into Leedstown.  The Duke of Leeds pub, named, like the village, for a former owner of the Godolphin estate, does food both lunchtime and evenings but sadly has no accommodation.  A pleasant enough walk but, after the first couple of miles, little interest.

St. Erth church, seen from the trail across the Hayle River

Parking on east bank of river, opposite the church

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Stage 4 - Leedstown to Beacon - 8 miles

Although, like the previous stage from St. Erth to Leedstown, this is another short and fairly easy stage, I have stuck to doing one stage at a time.  This time, as indeed with all the trail since Chapel Carn Brea, I walked with my friend and neighbour Richard, happily now recovered from serious back problems.  Although it is now mid August 2008, the theoretical height of summer, it has rained so much that, once again, much of the way is totally sodden.  The route is straightforward enough with, interestingly, an absolute plethora of coffen stiles, those around Crowan quite handsomely built.  The stiles between Crowan and Carn Tremayne had all been cleared by the local council - good for them.  As when I walked the trail east to west, a farm track after Clowance Wood Farm was virtually impassable with mud and slurry.  I ploughed through it but Richard chose my alternative by Bold Gate.  The countryside is largely pastoral and there are no long views until you approach Beacon.  However, there is a reasonable amount of interest along the way:  Clowance, now a timeshare and golf club;  Crowan church, burial place of St. Aubyns;  collapsed Carwynnen Quoit;  and unusual Treslothan, the Pendarves estate village.  Not my favourite stage though.  I am looking forward to the next stage with two major hills and some of my favourite mine remains.

Camborne/Redruth, try Cornish Mines and Engines and Kressen Kernow

Clowance, once home to the St. Aubyn family

BEACON TO LEEDSTOWN  Walked in late August 2009, this short section is not without its complications, though it proved a little easier than the west-east walk done in August 2008.  Standing crops between Beacon and Treslothan had been harvested, unlike last year, and the short track approaching Clowance Wood Farm proved to be quite dry this time.  There is one slightly complicated section, between Higher Bodrivial and Carn Tremayne.  Standing water makes this difficult so we have adopted a new route, using a slightly difficult track.  The old route is in the box below, shown in the west-east direction, in case anyone might prefer it.

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE FROM CARN TREMAYNE TO HIGHER BODRIVIAL Go L on road 35 yards and R over coffen stile (FP sign) into field.  Continue N through 2 fields (gap) to cross cattle stile to grassy green lane.  Over wooden stile (FP sign) and cross field NE to wooden stile.  Follow narrow sunken lane winding S downhill to wooden stile and derelict barn.  Turn R on very muddy green lane to muddy R bend.  Before bend take wooden stile on L (WM) (if water makes this impassable use previous galvanised gate) into field and follow RH hedge to wooden stile (if water makes this impassable, cross low barbed wire and go R over clapper bridge).  Then over coffen stile into small wood.  Follow RH hedge to gap to R of small wind turbine.  Follow LH hedge to coffen stile with wooden gate.  Follow overgrown green lane to Higher Bodrivial House.

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Stage 5 - Beacon to Chiverton Cross - 13 miles

Of the Trail so far I have especially enjoyed the first two stages over the hills of West Penwith.  Trencrom Hill to Beacon I found less interesting but now I am back in my element - hills (Carn Brea and Carn Marth) and a lot of interest in mining country around Camborne and Redruth..  On Carn Brea you will find the impressive Bassett Monument, Carn Brea Castle and some bronze age hut circles.  From Carnkie you follow Mineral Tramway trails up Carn Marth, passing an amphitheatre in a quarry and another quarry filled with water.  Views from the top are terrific, taking in St. Ives Bay, St. Agnes Beacon, Trevose Head, Clay Country and Carrick Roads.  All the way along the route there are mining remains, especially engine houses, many worth the short detour to visit.  Physically, despite the hills, this is the easiest section so far;  much of the way is on clear firm tracks and there are plenty of way-marks so the route is never in doubt.  It is worth lingering in the St. Day area to visit Gwennap Pit, enjoy a pint at the Star Inn at Vogue, walk the heritage trail in St. Day and visit the Old Church there.  After St. Day mining remains proliferate, from the medieval shafts in Unity Wood to Hawke's Shaft with Cornwall's tallest mine chimney.  In this area you are on the Wheal Busy Loop of the Coast-to-Coast Mineral Tramway Trail.

The Bassett Monument on Carn Brea

Car Parking:  usually space on Beacon Square opposite the Beacon Inn

CHIVERTON CROSS TO BEACON   Walked in early August 2009, this is another easy stage, its 13 miles seeming noticeably less thanks to the easy going and the scenic interet along the way.  Even the hills - Carn Marth and Carn Brea - are no more than gentle climbs, although the views from the top of both are well worth lingering over.  The only stiff climb is the short one up from Brea Adit towards Beacon, sufficiently steep for a sign at the top to instruct horse riders to dismount.  In this direction you notice tha lack of anywhere for refreshments at Beacon.  Both the pub, once the Pendarves Arms, now the Beacon Inn, and the fish and chip shop are closed during the day though there is a general atores for provisions.  Pity, too, that there is nor handy B&B so you have to head for Camborne.

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Stage 6 - Chiverton Cross to Mitchell - 15 miles

This is a relatively easy stage with no difficulty following route directions and little in the way of hills to contend with.  And I like the fact that it has a pub, the Chiverton Arms, (and a Starbucks) at the beginning;  a pub, the Plume of Feathers, at the end;  and another pub, the Hawkins Arms, a short detour at Zelah.  Even with the extra mile to visit the Hawkins Arms this is still an easy stage, despite its distance, the longest on the trail.  The countryside is gentle and attractive though you are conscious much of the time, of the hum of traffic along the busy A30.  In fact, refreshment seems to be the order of the day along this stage.  When I walked the Trail east to west in 2007, I stopped at the Cornish Cyder Farm for coffee.  In 2008, walking west to east, Richard and I indulged ourselves at the Callestick Farm ice cream café.  Callestick village is an attractive place with a major Methodist graveyard.  Little Callestock is another pleasing little village.  Other than these there is nothing special along the way, though those interested in Cornish mines will enjoy the engine house at West Chyverton mine and the following view of the vast tailings.   On arrival at Mitchell, do allow time to explore the attractive backwater with an interesting history - and good food at the Plume of Feathers.

Car parking at Starbucks and at the Plume of Feathers - but do ask first.

The former Methodist chapel and graveyard at Callestick

MITCHELL TO CHIVERTON CROSS   Walked in late July 2009, this is essentially an easy 15 miles with plenty of byway, bridleway and quiet lane.  In the event, it proved a little more difficult than expected.  In some fields, standing barley, planted right up to untrimmed margins, had blocked the path, as had a field of maize near Trerice.  The maize wasn't too bad but it later took me hours to get the barley barbs out of my socks.  Other than that, it was easy going though the bridleway east of Callestick was well under water, thanks to July's heavy rainfall.  As a coffee addict, I made use of Callestick Farm, Healey's Cider Farm and Starbucks.  The sensibly priced food at Callestick Farm is well worth stopping for.

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Stage 7 - Mitchell to Tregonetha - 12 miles

I remember only too well the problems I had with this stage in 2007 when walking the trail from east to west.  All seemed straightforward enough with paths shown clearly on the OS map.  However, one section from (west to east) Troan to Barton Lane proved almost impossible.  It took me three tries to find the way in 2007 and my first attempt in 2008 failed dismally.  Happily Robert Preston is the expert on this section and he took me through it carefully while he was visiting friends in Troan.  You will find that I have expanded the directions for this short (less than a mile) section to a full seven lines of text.  You should now be able to tackle it with some confidence.  This is a stage of relatively easy going, through pleasant lowland countryside but with more road (unavoidable) than one might like, about 5 miles in all.  There is a moderate amount of interest along the way.  At Black Cross a short detour right along the road will find the black cross in question.  In Ruthvoes turn left down a lane to find St. Columba's Holy Well.  At Royalton you should definitely go a little out of your way to see the remarkable house in Castle Caravan Park.  Most rewarding detour of all is Castle-an-Dinas, an impressive hill fort with remains of a wolfram mine and long views.  One word of warning:  after Tresithney, there is no path  through Carworgie Manor despite the OS map, so don't try.

The excellent Plume of Feathers Inn at Mitchell

You should be able to park at the Plume and on the green at Tregonetha

NOTE: The route between Troan and Barton Lane can be very difficult.  It is boggy in winter and overgrown in summer and the route is not easy to follow.  If you would rather nor try it, continue from St. Enoder on Narrow Lane.  At R bend go L on path (WM) and track past the sewage works to Barton Lane.  Go L on lane to path for Tresithney.  This route adds about 1 mile but might well save time.  An alternative possible route by Ratyn Farm and Tresawna does not work because the path to Tresawna, shon on OS106, does not exist.

TREGONETHA TO MITCHELL   I walked this in early July 2009.  In an odd way, this may well be the most difficult of the Cornish stages.  Directions need to be followed to the word as Cornwall Council has abandoned waymarking.  Several fields that were formerly grazing are now barley and need to be circumnavigated rather than crossed.  And, whatever you do, don't try alternatives that appear as paths on OS106;  they don't exist on the ground.  Nonetheless, I enjoyed the challenge and was delighted to find my way from Barton Lane to Troan at the first go..

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Stage 8 - Tregonetha to Dunmere Bridge - 8.5 miles

This a short and easy stage with few hills.  There are only a few short sections of road and these are quiet and fairly traffic-free country lanes.  Mostly the trail runs through the small fields of pastoral land - so there are plentiful stiles.  Waymarking is better than on some stages but is still sadly lacking in may places where it might be helpful.  Starting from the attractive village green at Tregonetha (there are few of these in Cornwall) you go down through woods and fields then up through more fields to reach St. Wenn.  Along the short stretch of road after St. Wenn, look out for unexpected Edwardian red-brick Prince Park house before crossing more fields to Withiel, another attractive village.  Leaving the hill down from Withiel, don't be shy of following the path through the garden of recently restored Whitehay - walkers are clearly welcomed.  The long track after Withielgoose Mills can be very muddy but is perfectly passable.  There is more road on the way into Nanstallon but then the last section is through pleasing woodland above the River Camel on the way to Dunmere Bridge.  We like the Borough Arms at Dunmere Bridge for its generous helpings.  If you are continuing into Bodmin, you can follow an arm of the Camel Trail as far as Bodmin Jail, not far from the town centre.

If parking on the green at Tregonetha, please be discreet about where

At the start of the stage in Tregonetha

DUNMERE BRIDGE TO TREGONETHA    How things can change from one season to another.  When I walked this stage west to east in 2008, the ground was saturated and some tracks were deep in mud.  In June 2009, walking east to west, the ground was dry and the tracks clear of mud.  This time, however, growth had been so luxuriant that many of the stiles between St. Wenn and Tregonetha were invisible and I was glad I knew where they should be.  And, fortunately, the very specific route directions - and the compass beraring - made them easy enough to find.  Beware, the first two stiles leaving St. Wenn may be a bit blocked by farm rubbish.  To my delight I discovered that there is now a promising B&B called Lowena at Tregonetha.  It has been added to trail directions file.

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Stage 9 - Dunmere Bridge to St. Breward - 9.5 Miles

This is another easy stage, its 10 miles involving only one moderate climb.  Initially, the trail uses the Camel Trail, seven miles of it from Dunmere Bridge to Poley's Bridge.  This is very easy walking along a reasonably wide firm track above the River Camel.  After four miles you may like to detour downhill to see the ancient bridge at Helland Bridge.  Here also is the pleasant Old Mill Herbary Garden and Paul Jackson's Studio Pottery.  At Poley's Bridge (impressive salmon sculpture in the car park), when the LET leaves the Camel Trail, it is well worth continuing for just a few yards to see the massive Wenford Clay Dries buildings;  china clay was once quarried high above on Bodmin Moor.  There is then a short stretch of uphill road through Penpont to Lower Lank;  the bridge abutment at the latter once carried a tramway from De Lank granite quarry.  Don't worry about going through a garden after Old De Lank Farm, the path is clearly waymarked here.  In fact, waymarking from here to St. Breward is mostly quite clear.  St. Breward is a straggling village, comprising about a dozen former tiny hamlets.  The church is worth a visit and we can strongly recommend the friendly Old Inn next to the church.  You can get food all day at the Old Inn with hot filled paninis on the menu from 11 to 6.

Grazing land above Old De Lank Farm

Free car parking in the Camel Trail car park at Dunmere Bridge

ST. BREWARD TO DUNMERE   I walked this in June 2009.  When done in the west-east direction this stage is easy enough, much of it  on the levelCamel Trail.  East-west you could scarcely find an easier stage:  not only is it all downhill or level, it is all completely straightforward.  I suspect that, as Stage 9 is also an easy one,. many walkers may choose to do the two stages as one 18 mile stage.  En route I saw the Camel Valley Tea Garden open at Keybridge Farm and a B&B that I hadn't seen before nearby.  Both are now mentioned in the trail directions file.

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Stage 10 - St. Breward to Bolventor - 9 miles

It is difficult for me to be sure which is my favourite part of the Land's End Trail.  Stages 1 and 2, over the moors of West Penwith, are pretty wild and have the advantage of superb views of both north and south coasts.  Stages 10 and 11, crossing Bodmin Moor, have few coast views but have a feeling of incredible remoteness - that 'top of the world, end of the world' feeling.  I guess I go for Bodmin Moor, home territory to me.  Oddly, as this stage includes the commanding heights of Garrow Tor (worth climbing before circumnavigating) and Brown Willy, the most difficult ground is at low level near the beginning, marshy land around Palmers and Irish, more marsh on the northern slope of Butterstor, and at low level later on, further marshy ground below Brown Willy on the way towards Tolborough Tor.   Interest along the way is the strange un-datable enclosure on the open moor, known as King Arthur's Hall, the apparently still working farm at Garrow, and a massive bronze age cairn on the southern summit of Brown Willy.   If the weather on the moor has been inclement, the open fire at Jamaica Inn can feel welcoming.  It may not be my favourite place but the beer and the coffee in the bar are OK and at least you can usually park there without any problem.

Brown Willy seen from Garrow Farm

Moorland parking on the northern edge of St. Breward Churchtown

BOLVENTOR TO ST. BREWARD   I did this stage in an east-west direction in early July 2009, out of order as my sister Mary and her friend Mary wanted to walk it with me.  We didn't choose a good day and got soaked through to skin and sock.  Nonetheless, the sky cleared at the summit of Brown Willy, affording superb panoramic views to both coasts, Dartmoor and Clay Country.  When I walked this west-east in 2008 much of the ground was saturated and difficult.  I couldn't believe how dry and easy it was this time, even the notorious bit over Butterstor.  And between Irish and Palmers Cornwall Council is making a determined effort to raise at least one path above the boggy ground.

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Stage 11 - Bolventor to Minions - 10.5 miles

To my regret, this is the last real moorland stage of the Cornish Section although the Minions to Callington stage does first cross Caradon Hill.  Happily, there is more moorland to come in the Tavistock to Avebury Section when the route crosses Dartmoor.  Straightforward as far as Webb's Down, you do need to take care with the directions after that.  It would then be easy to take a wrong turn in Halvana Plantation.   Leaving Halvana, to cross East Moor, it helps to take a rough bearing on North Hill though, if you are inclined, you might like to make the detour up the boundary stone line to see the Nine Stones of Altarnun.  The ground after Bastreet water works can be difficult in wet conditions but is perfectly passable.  Then if, like me, you are a lover of the high ground, you will probably prEfer to climb Trewortha Tor, Kilmar Tor, Bearah Tor and Sharp Tor.  There is also a good alternative after the lane to Wardbrook Farm;  skirting Stowe's Hill to the west gives the opportunity to climb the hill for the Cheesewring and prehistoric pound and to see the Hurlers stone circles and the Pipers standing stones - my preference despiote my love of tramways.  Once in Minions there is a good choice for refreshments - the Cheesewring pub and two teashops, Chy Te and Hurlars Halt.  This has been another favourite stage - for wildness and moorland views.

Park at Jamaica Inn and at 2 car parks in Minions

The remarkable Cheesewring rock stack on Stowe's Hill

The Former Route before the 2009 revision

The old route wss quite different between Halvana Plantation and the lane to Wardbrook Farm and had always been assumed to use permissive paths through Smallacoombe Plantation and Wardbrook Farm.  Unfortunately, though the gate into the plantation after Rushyford Water is unlocked, that at the southern end is heavily locked.  And it was long assumed that, since people have always passed through Wardbrook Farm unchallenged, a right of way must have been established.  Sadly, it transpires that the farm, though quite surrounded by Open Access land, belongs to the Duchy of Cornwall who don't permit access there.  And, as Crown land, access cannot be etablished by usage.  Not that I mind, except on principle, as I far prefer the high ground route over the four tors for the wonderful views and a wild tranquillity.

MINIONS TO BOLVENTOR   I walked this in June 2009 and, because I know the route so well, decided on a variation at the beginning.  I headed first for the Pipers and Hurlers, then NNW to Rillaton Barrow to see the cist where thwe Rillaton Cup was found.  It is now in the British Museum and a copy in the Royal Cornwall Museum.  From there I went by Daniel Gumb's Cave up to the Cheewsewring and north over the Stowe's Hill pound wall and north through the ouiter enclosure.  This is now definitely my preferred route for tha amazing collection of antiquities and for the long views.  The marsh before Bastreet water works was easier after dry waather and I enjoyed the Carey Tor route over East Moor.

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Stage 12 - Minions to Callington - 10 miles

This is a fairly easy stage with almost no hazards along the way.  It starts with a gentle climb up Caradon Hill.  The official route skirts the 1200 foot summit to its west but an alternative is offered for those who enjoy tramways and would like long views of Dartmoor.  This skirts the hill to its north and east.  I suggest a further possible choice for lovers of Cornish mines.  This is to take the tramway south from Minions (signed FP to the west of the pub) most of the way to Crows Nest, to cross the valley and had east through South Caradon mine to Tokenbury Corner to pick up the road through Pensilva.  This adds around 2 miles.  From here there is more road (quiet lanes) in the rest of the route than I would like but it is quite unavoidable.  By Bearland Bridge look out for an unusual milestone - Callington 6 furlongs 25 poles.   The woodland above the River Lynher between Scrawsdon Farm and Bicton Mill is enjoyable but the path is unclear.  Bicton Mill itself is a pleasant spot on the river.   Between Trewolland Farm (south of Trenavin) and Trevigro the path is unclear;  you have to cross a bit of marsh to an invisible stile and then to cross paddock fencing illegally blocking the path.  A pleasant enough stage but, after the high delights of Caradon Hill, there is no outstanding interest.

Horses graze on Caradon Hill with Kit hill in the distance

Two free car parks in Minions, pay parking in Callington

CALLINGTON to MINIONS Continuing my east-west trek - you need to be looking at the stages in reverse order for a logical progression - I did this stage in early June 2009.  Again I found minor route anomalies in the west-east directiosns;  again, these have been corrected.  This stage, too, can seem slightly harder going east-west.  The long descent from Callington to the River Lynher is more than matched by the 1200 foot climb from the Lynher to the top of Caradon Hill.  I mhad thought that there were no refreshments on this stage, as the Victoria Inn in Pensilva does no food.   So a  happy discovery was the occasional coffee shop in Pensilva's Millennium Centre

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Stage 13 - Callington to Tavistock - 12 miles

A quiet byway starts almost in the centre of Callington, then a clear path  climbs 1100 foot Kit Hill with its elegant mine chimney stack.  Views are tremendous, explained by toposcopes.  What looks like an iron age fort is a Georgian folly.   Worth lingering to enjoy the panorama before taking the long lane downhill to Luckett.  This was once a busy village with pub and Miners Institute but is now very quiet.  From Luckett there was, until 2002, a permissive path along the Tamar.  Now you have to take a waterlogged and muddy route by Lower Hampt, a handsome Tudor farmhouse with a remarkable range of farm buildings.  You cross the River Tamar by an impressive 1437 packhorse bridge.  At this halfway point the unspoiled Royal Inn is a pleasant place for refreshments.  You climb for some way out of Horsebridge and get lovely views oiver the Tamar Valley.  Look out for Capeltor farm and its cider houses.  After that, when you leave the Tamar, be careful to get the correct eastbound track through the woods.  It's easy going from there through Three Oaks and over Middle Lumburn bridge (note Millhill to your left).  The track to Stilesweek Farm peters out to a path and, to and past Downhouse Farm, you encounter muddy gateways and several sheep stiles.  The route into central Tavistock is then obvious.

Pay parking in Callington centre and south of the river in Tavistock

The handsome packhorse bridge over the Tamar at Horsebridge

TAVISTOCK to CALLINGTON I walked this stage in the east-west direction in May 2009 as part of the preparations for publishing Tavistock to Land's End on the web.  It didn't surprise me to find one or two anomalies  in our west-east route directions;  these have now been corrected.  In one way I found this direction easier going - the mud and waterlogged ground between Horsebridge and Luckett were largely dried up.  In another way more it was more difficult - the road climb from Luckett to Kit Hill seemed like quite a long slog.  All in all, though, an enjoyable walk with wild flowers in abundance and an unusual  new cattle stile on the way into Blanchdown Wood.

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