Walk With Us: Boscastle to Rocky Valley
One thing we aim to never take for granted is just how lucky we are to live where we do, and one of the best things about that is being able to share our favourite spots.
There is no better way to see Cornwall than by foot, you’ll find places you could never get to on four wheels. The South West Coast Path offers endless choices, most of which we’ve explored at some point.
To give you some ideas for your holiday hikes, we’re going to bring you along with us on some of our favourite walks.
Boscastle to Rocky Valley loop
If you’re looking for dramatic coastlines, historical spots, and the spiritual waters this walk could not be more perfect. You can start and end in Boscastle car park, and the walk is approximately 10km.
We highly recommend downloading the I Walk Cornwall app if you’re wanting some planned, guided walks during your stay. You can purchase walks and your phone will notify you along the way so you know you’re going the right direction, there are an endless choice of walks on there for all abilities.
Boscastle
Cornish: Kastel Boterel
Boscastle is a small, historic fishing village in North Cornwall, about a twenty minute drive from Wylde Valley. More than just a start point for your walk, Boscastle is perfect for a day out, with plenty of places to eat (Boscastle Bakery have some of the best pasties in Cornwall) and drink, and some gorgeous shops to spend an afternoon wandering around. You can also visit the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, a fascinating exploration of the history of witchcraft, something which has a deep history in Cornwall.
If you’re just here for the walk, however, you can skip all that (maybe grab a pasty for the road though) and head from the car park over the bridge and alongside the harbour to join the coast path on the right-hand side.
Past the Coastguard Lookout
Originally built in the 1800s as a summer house for a local landowner, it was later used to prevent smuggling, and now is used by the coastguard as a lookout. There might be some ponies grazing too.
The first part of the route takes you across the coastal path towards Tintagel. Craggy headlands, sheer cliffs, and incredible panoramic sea views guide you on your way. You might even spot some seals playing in the water below.
Rocky Valley
Cornish: Glynn Duwy
Carved out by the Trevillet River, at the highest point the slate canyon walls tower over seventy feet above the river below. Rocky Valley has a vast history and a deep spiritualism.
As you walk alongside the river you will see lots of ribbons, bells and other offerings hanging from the trees, these are left by followers of neopaganism. Alongside the ruins of an old 18th century wool mill you will find the Labyrinthian carvings that Rocky Valley is known for, discovered in 1948.
Labyrinthian Carvings in Rocky Valley
Believed by some to date back as far as the Bronze Age, these carvings attract followers of Neopaganism and New Age beliefs.
From Rocky Valley you can take a detour and head down to St Nectan’s Glen, a beautiful walk through woodland to the 60 foot waterfall. Another place of spirituality there are numerous offerings along the walk and the waterfall is said to have healing properties. St Nectan’s Glen is another great day out on its own, with their Tree of Life cafe on site.
Or you can continue your walk and loop back to Boscastle where you began. The walk will take you through fields (some have livestock in so please be aware), over stiles, and past historic churches until you find yourself coming down the steep hills to the bottom of Boscastle.
Heading back
Walking back through the fields offers a completely different experience, and you might make a few friends on the way.
If you didn’t get a pasty on the way out, you’ve definitely earned one now!
We hope to see you in Wylde Valley very soon, we’ll be here with our recommendations for walks when you get here!