7 beautiful autumn woodland walks in Cornwall
Cornwall may be famous for its coastline, but nothing beats a forest walk down here when the trees start changing colours and shedding their leaves. There are plenty of forests to explore in the Duchy so grab your kids, your dog, and your wellies and get out there. Below are 7 beautiful autumn woodland walks to help inspire you:
Cardinham Woods, Bodmin
With 650 acres to explore here, it would be easy to get lost. Thank goodness then for the easy to follow loop trails, giving you 5 different options depending on fitness level. There are also separate mountain bike trails, a cafe and even a dog washing station – super handy for this time of year!
Kennall Vale, Ponsanooth
Still a bit of a hidden gem, Kennall Vale is a perfect spot for those who love history. The gunpowder works here operated from the 1800s until the early 20th century, when they were closed due to the invention of dynamite. Now you can wander around the ruins on the bank of the Kennall river. It’s an easy walk, but parking is a little tricky. My advice is to park in Ponsanooth village and walk up the hill to the entrance. Just please park respectfully!
Tehidy Woods, Camborne
Located near Camborne, Tehidy is popular year round with local families. There’s an excellent cafe and several trails, most of which are dog friendly. Lots of stunning flora on display here, as well as animals such as woodpeckers and otters! Tehidy has a few car parks to choose from – we usually opt for the North Cliffs car park as the trails are a lot quieter and depending on the time of day you can spot deer and even bats.
Mount Edgecombe County Park, Rame Peninsula
Samuel Pepys once described Mount Edgecombe as “A most beautiful place as ever was seen” and I think he was probably visiting in the autumn! The grounds really come alive with colour at this time of year, so it’s the perfect season to take on the 4 mile historic landscape trail. You’ll see beautiful beaches, ancient woodlands and coastal scenery along the way. It’s free to visit the country park, but if you would also like to explore the house and gardens, more info is available here.
Idless Woods, Truro
Arguably one of the best places in Cornwall for a dog walk. A gentle stream runs along the western edge of Idless, providing a refreshing splash zone for dogs, and there are several routes to take (they aren’t waymarked but stick to the path and you’ll be fine). Parking is free year round, and there’s a quirky little cafe/farm shop close by called Cows and Sows. Grab a hot chocolate to warm you up.
Golitha Falls, Bodmin
Not a single, high waterfall, but rather a series of cascades, Golitha Falls is at its best during autumn. Heavy rains make the falls more dramatic and the golden foliage are a hit with photographers. The river flows down a gorge which gets pretty steep and narrow the further you go. Make sure to wear good walking boots as the path can get muddy and slippery underfoot. If you’re after a bite to eat afterwards, Inkie’s Smokehouse is a terrific BBQ spot (veggie options available).
Minster Woods, Boscastle
Probably my favourite walk on this list. Starting in the gorgeous village of Boscastle, the trail through Minster Woods leads you along the river and then up to Minster Church. The woodland is believed to have been managed by monks from the monastery at Minster Church, all the way back in the 12th century. It’s a great walk to take around Halloween time as the churchyard has an eerie vibe to it. Also, just outside lies the grave of Joan Wytte, unjustly accused of witchcraft and buried there in 1998. Spooky or sad, it’s now become a bit of a pilgrimage site.
There you have it – 7 beautiful autumn woodland walks around Cornwall. If you are visiting in the spring instead, check out this post on the best places to see the bluebells. Many of these places feature there too. x
