Duloe Stone Circle, Church and river walk back to Looe.
(Toilets = none, ambitious walk, wellies)
6 Miles - Mostly down hill.
From Hideaway: Walk down the Chapel Ground Steps, head for the Quayside. Pick up any refreshments from the General Store or Spar, including fresh pasties. ;-p Continue to the Quay. The metal and glass building is called the Quayside Centre, and there's a bus stop to the left. Buses can take you to Polperro, Plymouth and Liskeard. You want the Liskeard bus, the 73.
Ask for a single to Duloe Church, and make a request to be told when you arrive, otherwise they may pass the place. If this happens, no worries, get off in Duloe Village and walk back, past the Stone Circle.
(Toilets = none, ambitious walk, wellies)
6 Miles - Mostly down hill.
From Hideaway: Walk down the Chapel Ground Steps, head for the Quayside. Pick up any refreshments from the General Store or Spar, including fresh pasties. ;-p Continue to the Quay. The metal and glass building is called the Quayside Centre, and there's a bus stop to the left. Buses can take you to Polperro, Plymouth and Liskeard. You want the Liskeard bus, the 73.
Ask for a single to Duloe Church, and make a request to be told when you arrive, otherwise they may pass the place. If this happens, no worries, get off in Duloe Village and walk back, past the Stone Circle.
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| Duloe Stone Circle - Cornwall - Part of Hideaways longest walking route! |
The Stone Circle: is located just off the main road, in
between the Church and The Plough pub, Access is nestled between two houses. Look
for the sign, or Stone House Farm. Spend some time at the circle, it's a very
special place. A nearby info board is good for facts, but for now, know that
the circle is 4000 years old, the smallest in Cornwall, and was last properly
excavated by the Victorian vicars at the nearby church.
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| Jonathan Boakes at Duloe Church |
The Church: featured in the Crown games, both inside and
out, and is a lot older than people think. The tower foundations are Saxon,
built on an ancient place of Worship. This is old land, you can feel it. The church
is open for most of the year.
Homeward: Leave Duloe by walking the lane that passes
alongside the Church (NOT the main road), passing the Primary School and
continue onwards down the lane. Soon, the lane changes into a track. Continue
down the old track (old country lane, to the mills down below, now gone), until
you get to the Ford (stream). This is a lovely spot to enjoy a pasty, if you're
peckish, and look out for otters. I have yet to see one, but they are said to
hunt these waters.
The Ford: At the Ford, do not cross, instead, take the footpath on
this side of the water, over the stile and the perpetually muddy puddle. ;-)
Follow this path, heading East, alongside the river all the way to Sowden's
Bridge. I won't add any spoilers for this walk, as it's best to enjoy the
sights and sounds yourself. Take a break at the wonky tree. You might see a Red
Kite here, as we have spotted them soaring over the green fields many a time.
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| Old Gate and Granite 'roller' at Duloe. |
At Sowden's Bridge, turn right, passing the entrance to
Hobbs Farm (Hobb, an old word for the Devil). Continue along the lane, do not
take any of the right turns up to Pelynt, keeping the water to your left. You
will pass the idyllic Trelawne Mill, an old Lime Kiln (worth the climb to the
top) and eventually arrive at the beautiful Hamlet of Watergate. Don't expect
to see many people, the cottages are all holiday lets, and empty most of the
time, like a ghost-village, especially at night.
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| Watergate nr. Looe |
At Watergate, leave the road by the water, and cross the
little field and stepping stones. You have now entered the Kilminorth Woods.
Follow the path, signposted, all the way back to Looe. Keep the water on your
left, and you'll be back in 40 minutes, tired but rewarded. ;-)
©Darkling Room
