Minions and Caradon Hill circular walk

Minions and Caradon Hill

A walk through the remains of the UK's most productive copper mines which employed thousands of people in Victorian times, including brakemen who each scooted an individual loaded ore wagon down to Liskeard on the railway that forms much of the walk route.

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Download the (free) app then use it to purchase this walk.
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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 near the Minions Heritage Centre and follows the trackbed of the original Liskeard and Caradon railway down the Gonamena Incline to reach West Caradon Mine. The route then crosses via Crow's Nest to the other side of the Seaton Valley and follows tramways through the extensive remains of the South Caradon Mine to reach East Caradon Mine. The return route is on the "new" trackbed of the railway passing the engine houses of Wheal Jenkin on the way back to Minions.

Highlights

  • Panoramic views across southeast Cornwall
  • Lots of mining heritage including engine houses, railways and viaducts

Considerations

  • After very heavy rain, the railway trackbed can become a stream.

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Vital statistics

  • OS Explorer: 109
  • Distance: 5 miles/8 km
  • Steepness grade: Easy-moderate
  • Recommended footwear: Walking boots; waterproof boots in winter; wellies or equivalent after heavy rain
  • No stiles: ✓
  • Pub: ✓
  • Café: ✓

OS maps for this walk

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

Pubs on or near the route

  • The Crows Nest Inn

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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