Located on the edge of Bodmin Moor, Brown Willy and Roughtor boasts a wealth of natural beauty. These ‘peaks’ provide a very manageable and enjoyable 3-4 mile walk complete with stunning views, even on a dreary day.

The keen eye will spot not only stunning views, but also Iron Age remains, Bronze Age hut circles and even a Neolithic tor enclosure. (Perfect for explorers who like to stumble across remnants of history!)

Getting there

Although visible from the main artery to Cornwall, the A30, these luscious lands are most easily approached from the west. Leaving the A39 near Camelford, head towards Bodmin airfield (this was covered in the charity bike ride post in the summer) and park near the Rough Tor Farm. Driving into this carpark (owned by the forestry commission), you will be confronted by the intimidating outline of Roughtor and will not clap eyes on her big brother Brown Willy until you reach the summit.

The walk

From the car park to the top of Roughtor it is approximately one mile, and three quarters is easy going, if not a little soft under foot. The last few metres of the ascent is rudely barricaded by Dartmoor-esque granite and requires a bit of careful negotiation. The less adventurous need not take this route, and may instead head up the more grassy left hand side, but you are at risk of not having quite as much fun. Once you reach the top of Roughtor, you will be generously treated to a stunning view of the west side of Bodmin Moor, the picturesque Crowdy Reservoir and Lowermoor Water Treatment Works, with a view of the airfield to your far right. Crossing over to the other side of the summit, you’ll catch a glimpse of the far point of the walk, the slightly higher mount of Brown Willy.

Choose to locate the footpath or scramble down through the heather, chasing wild sheep as you go, and follow the natural gully down to the base of peak two. Slightly wetter and more gravelly underfoot, this climb is steeper and more stubborn with less aesthetic goodies. That is until the pinnacle. Breath-taking views from the apex allow you to retrace the route you have taken and allow you to plot your plan of attack back to the car park, the other side of Roughtor to the way you came.

Places of interest

• A trig point and interesting pile of rocks atop Brown Willy provides an excellent focal point for a photo.
• As earlier mentioned there are two reservoirs that you can spot from the walk. Lowermoor Water Treatment Works, with its steep banks, can provide an excellent extra few miles to the walk for the adventurous.
• Bodmin Airfield, home of Cornwall Flying Club.

I hope you enjoy this guide to, in my view, one of the best walks in Cornwall. Please feel free to connect with us and share your thoughts on this great spot for a Sunday afternoon stroll.