Budock Water and the Lakes

Budock Water and the Lakes

The path around College Lake has been closed due to erosion and high water levels. It's possible to bypass College Lake by cutting between directions 9 and 25 although this makes the walk more of a there-and-back to Argal Lake.

A walk from what was once the parish church for Falmouth to the lakes in a river valley which the Celtic people described as secluded and where Argal Mill lies somewhere beneath the water in a Cornish version of Atlantis.

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The app will direct you to the start of the walk via satnav.
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The app guides you around the walk using GPS, removing any worries about getting lost.
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The walk route is described with detailed, regularly-updated, hand-written directions.
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Each time there is a new direction to follow, the app will beep to remind you, and will warn you if you go off-route.
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A map shows the route, where you are at all times and even which way you are facing.
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Each walk is packed with information about the history and nature along the route, from over a decade of research than spans more than 3,000 topics.
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Once a walk is downloaded, the app doesn't need wifi or a phone signal during the walk.
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The app counts down distance to the next direction and estimates time remaining based on your personal walking speed.
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We keep the directions continually updated for changes to the paths/landmarks - the price for a walk includes ongoing free updates.

either as a GPS-guided walk with our app (£3.29) or a PDF of directions (£2.79) Example of directions

The walk starts at Budock Church and follows footpaths across the fields to reach the top of College Reservoir. The walk follows the waterside path to the other end of the lake and then continues across the dam of the Argal reservoir to reach the café. The route then passes all the way around Argal Lake before returning to Budock Water.

Highlights

  • Spectacular display of water lily flowers on College Lake in August
  • Mediaeval church at Budock Water
  • Walkway along the top of the dam at Argal Lake
  • Aquatic wildlife in the College Lake nature reserve
  • Spring flowers including primroses and bluebells along the shady paths around the lakes

Considerations

  • The path from Nangitha Farm is susceptible to summer vegetation growth. If you have secateurs, take them along to snip any brambles.

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Vital statistics

  • OS Explorer: 103
  • Distance: 6.5 miles/10.5 km
  • Steepness grade: Easy-moderate
  • Recommended footwear: waterproof boots in winter
  • Café: ✓

OS maps for this walk

Click or tap on map for more info (blue=laminated)

Adjoining walks

either as a GPS-guided walk with our app (£3.29) or a PDF of directions (£2.79) Example of directions

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