Redruth to Chasewater Trail
The origins of Cornwall’s first railway to use wrought-iron rails and wagons with flanged wheels can be traced back to 1818. In 1825 it was completed, with horses drawing wagons from the mines around Gwennap to the port of Devoran. The line was successful and in 1854 it was converted for steam locomotives. The decline in Cornish mining fortunes led to its closure in 1915.
The Redruth & Chasewater Railway Trail branches off from the Coast to Coast Trail at Twelveheads and follows a route of contrasting scenery (woodland and moorland) with spectacular views across Cornwall. Following as closely as possible the original railway route the trail bypasses the villages of Carharrack and Lanner. Gwennap Pit is close by and Carn Marth can be accessed from the trail. The trail then continues to the west of Lanner before connecting in to the Great Flat Lode Trail and Tresavean Trail at Welcome to the Mining Trails guide Buller Hill.
The trail is based for the most part on the route of the original Redruth & Chasewater Railway. It is mostly level and off road, and occasionally crosses the public highway.
Redruth to Chasewater Trail
- Created: 12th April 2017 2:15 pm
- Updated: 28th June 2017 2:02 pm
- Distance 5 miles
- Time 2 h 2 min
- Speed 2 mph
- Min altitude 98 ft
- Peak 646 ft
- Climb 689 ft
- Descent 180 ft
- Distance Instructions