Each year without fail, one of my New Year’s resolutions is to walk more. To walk further. To walk in new places. Any excuse to get out and clock up some miles!
Dry days have been at a premium so far in 2024, but despite the ground being wet and muddy underfoot, we seized the opportunity of sunshine to get out for a good walk to explore around the Camel Trail and the valley it dissects.
Setting off in the low winter sunshine from The Borough Arms, we made our way onto the Camel
Trail, passing the old Dunmere Halt platform. We were soon walking alongside the river which bubbled past at a rapid rate courtesy of the steady rainfall we’d had of late. The name ‘Cam-El’ is from the Cornish meaning ‘crooked one’, and the river certainly lives up to its name!
Uphill, and away from the edge of the river, we climbed until we reached the village of Nanstallon, after following the road for some distance. From this elevated track, we were able to enjoy views across the valley and could see the vines of the Camel Valley vineyard basking in the winter sunlight on sloping fields.
What goes up, must come down, and the trail began a slow descent down to river level once again, soon leading us to the Grogley Halt platform. From here, we enjoyed a gentle uphill walk along the Camel Trail, the river still visible below us as it continued along its determined route to the sea. Boscarne Station (one end of the Bodmin and Wenford Railway) sat peacefully still in the shady
wooded clearing it occupies, enjoying its winter season slumber!
Before long, we found ourselves back at The Borough Arms, very happy to have been out and about!