GWENNAP TRAIL 1 - GWENNAP CHURCH TRAIL
This is a great cycling trail over fairly flat terrain and certainly a trail that you can spend sometime exploring. On the whole the trail is flat and easy to navigate but there are a few slopes along the way. At the start of the trail are old mine waste areas to either side with rough, loose rocks and rubble. If you’re into cross country adventure then this is a great place but it would be very advisable to wear protective kit.
The trail skirts the villages but a quick turn off the trail will take you into Carharrack – to buy some food and supplies for a picnic.
Keep an eye out for various message boards that are on the trail that tell you about certain features to look out for and explain what used to happen where you’re stood. There are also lots of old mining features along the way that are not always obvious to see.
A great place to stop off half way round is the Fox and Hounds at Comford.
Address: Twelveheads car park
Lat: N 50° 14′ 16.71″
Long: W 5° 8′ 33.55″
OS Grid Ref: SW 75994 42274
Distance: 6.5 miles
Terrain: Moderate
Facilities available for this trail:
Parking – Parking at the start at Twelveheads
Picnic areas – there are numerous appropriate places along the route to stop
Eating and shopping – village store in Carharrack
Public houses – family friendly pub at Comford – marked on map
Accessibility
Family and children friendly – the route is very family friendly
Cycle Trail – good long trail to cycle
Horse Riding Trail – parts of the trail are suitable
Walking Trail – a moderate trail
Disability access – only if you have a good strong scooter
Gwennap Trail 1
- Created: 8th March 2017
- Updated: 1st May 2017
- Distance 7 miles
- Time 2 h 54 min
- Speed 2 mph
- Min altitude 98 ft
- Peak 338 ft
- Climb 551 ft
- Descent 554 ft
- Distance Instructions
Points of Interest
POLDICE VALLEY MINING
Poldice Valley, has a long history of mining related industry dating back to at least 1512. Among the many remains including walled mine shafts and chimneys are what is left of the mid 19th century arsenic works where arsenic was condensed from gases into crystal form which was then exported across the world for use in insecticides and industrial processes, such as glass making. Notable minerals mined Galena, Pyrites, Wolfram, Arsenic & Ochre.
Location: SW 74827 42311
GWENNAP CHURCHYARD
The church of St Weneppa, Gwennap is founded on a Celtic monastery thought to date from the late 5th century. The present building dates from the 17th century and is one of only four churches in Cornwall with a detached tower.
The church is thought to contain at least 10,000 bodies and has been closed and reopened several times over the centuries. It is particularly beautiful in the spring and early summer when the bluebells provide a carpet of colour and the cherry tree is in bloom. There are a number of very interesting memorials both inside the church and in the graveyard, and the church can provide a very useful book which records the known memorials.
Location: SW 73808 40150
