The Best Moorland Walks in Cornwall

There’s something magical about Cornwall’s moorlands. Untamed and windswept, dotted with ancient stones and echoing with centuries of stories, these are places where time seems to stand still. From the towering granite of Rough Tor to the eerie silence of prehistoric sites like King Arthur’s Hall, Cornwall’s moors invite you to slow down, step off the beaten path, and truly connect with the land.

This guide brings together the very best moorland walks in Cornwall – chosen from the brilliant iWalk Cornwall app, which we genuinely love for its detailed, GPS-guided routes and local expertise. Whether you’re in search of dramatic views, ancient history, or simply peace and space to roam, these walks showcase Cornwall at its most raw and remarkable.

Each route is packed with atmosphere and adventure, and we’ve given you all the key details so you can pick the one that suits your mood, your boots, and your sense of curiosity. Ready to discover the soul of Cornwall? Let’s get walking.

1. Baker’s Pit and Rogers’ Tower

• Location: Near Nancledra​

• Parking: Limited roadside parking available

• Dog-Friendly: Yes, but be cautious of livestock​

• Café: None on-site​

• iWalk Cornwall Route: Baker’s Pit and Rogers’ Tower

• Distance: 3 miles (4.9 km)​

• Difficulty: Easy-moderate​

Highlights:

• Bakers Pit Nature Reserve

• Iron Age hillfort

• Rogers’ Tower folly

This circular walk begins at the Bakers Pit Nature Reserve, leading you through diverse habitats rich in wildlife. The route ascends to an Iron Age hillfort, offering insights into Cornwall’s ancient past. Here, you’ll encounter Rogers’ Tower, a folly constructed during the era in which the Poldark novels are set, utilizing stones from prehistoric roundhouses. The walk combines natural beauty with historical intrigue, making it a delightful excursion for all ages.​

2. Stannon Moor Prehistoric Relics

• Location: Near St Breward​

• Parking: Small parking area at the start of the walk

• Dog-Friendly: Yes, but keep dogs on leads due to wildlife​

• Café: None on-site​

• iWalk Cornwall Route: Stannon Moor Prehistoric Relics

• Distance: 3.9 miles (6.2 km)​

• Difficulty: Easy-moderate

Highlights:

• Stone circles and burial chambers

• Panoramic views of Bodmin Moor

• Logan Rock on Louden Hill

Explore the prehistoric wonders of Stannon Moor on this circular walk near St Breward. The trail takes you past ancient stone circles and burial chambers, offering a glimpse into the area’s rich archaeological heritage. A highlight is the massive granite boulder known as Logan Rock on Louden Hill, which gently rocks when sat upon. The expansive views across Bodmin Moor provide a stunning backdrop to this historical journey.​

3. Davidstow and Inny Vale

• Location: Near Tremail​c

• Parking: Designated parking area near the airfield​

• Dog-Friendly: Yes, but be aware of livestock and ground-nesting birds​

• Café: None on-site​

• iWalk Cornwall Route: Davidstow and Inny Vale

• Distance: 4.2 miles (6.8 km)​

• Difficulty: Easy-moderate​

Highlights:

• WWII airbase at Davidstow Moor

• Tunnel of trees to Treworra

• Source of the River Inny

• St David’s Church and Holy Well

This circular walk in the Inny Vale on the northern edge of Bodmin Moor offers a diverse range of sights. Starting at the remnants of the WWII airbase on Davidstow Moor, the route leads through a picturesque tunnel of trees to Treworra. You’ll pass the source of the River Inny before reaching the historic St David’s Church and its associated Holy Well. The combination of military history, natural beauty, and spiritual sites makes this walk particularly engaging.​

4. Camelford to Watergate

• Location: Camelford​

• Parking: Public car park in Camelford​

• Dog-Friendly: Yes, but dogs should be on leads near livestock​

• Café: Available in Camelford​

• iWalk Cornwall Route: Camelford to Watergate​

• Distance: 5 miles (8.1 km)​

• Difficulty: Easy-moderate

Highlights:

• Bluebell woods along the River Camel

• Celtic churchyard of Advent

• Neolithic remains on the edge of Bodmin Moor

Beginning in the historic town of Camelford, this circular walk meanders through enchanting bluebell woods along the River Camel. The trail leads to the Celtic churchyard of Advent, steeped in history and tranquility. Further along, you’ll encounter Neolithic remains on the fringes of Bodmin Moor, offering a tangible connection to Cornwall’s ancient inhabitants. This walk beautifully blends natural splendour with historical depth.​

5. Minions and Caradon Hill

• Location: Minions

• Parking: Free car park in Minions village​

• Dog-Friendly: Yes, but be mindful of grazing animals​

• Café: Available in Minions village​

• iWalk Cornwall Route: Minions and Caradon Hill​

• Distance: 5 miles (8 km)​

• Difficulty: Easy-moderate​

Highlights:

• Remains of Victorian copper mines

• Caradon Hill

• Industrial heritage sites

Explore Cornwall’s industrial past with this walk through the remnants of the UK’s most productive copper mines, which employed thousands during the Victorian era. The route includes sections of the old railway used to transport ore to Liskeard, offering insights into the area’s mining heritage. Ascending Caradon Hill provides panoramic views and a sense of the landscape that once buzzed with industrial activity.​

6. St Breward to King Arthur’s Hall

• Location: St Breward​

• Parking: Limited parking near St Breward church​

• Dog-Friendly: Yes, but keep dogs on leads near livestock​

• Café: None on-site; pub available in St Breward​

• iWalk Cornwall Route: St Breward to King Arthur’s Hall​

• Distance: 5.1 miles (8.2 km)​

• Difficulty: Easy-moderate

Highlights:

• Treswallock Downs

• King Arthur’s Hall prehistoric site

• Medieval Old Inn

This circular walk from St Breward takes you across the Treswallock Downs to the enigmatic prehistoric site known as King Arthur’s Hall. The purpose of this ancient structure remains a mystery, adding an element of intrigue to your journey. The walk concludes at the medieval Old Inn, offering a cosy spot to reflect on the day’s explorations.​

7. Altarnun and West Moor

• Location: Altarnun​

• Parking: Public car park in Altarnun village​

• Dog-Friendly: Yes, but be cautious of livestock​

• Café: None on-site​

• iWalk Cornwall Route: Altarnun and West Moor​

• Distance: 5.5 miles (8.8 km)​

• Difficulty: Easy-moderate

Highlights:

• Panoramic views across Bodmin Moor

• Prehistoric hut circles and cairns

• Medieval tin workings

Starting from the picturesque village of Altarnun, this walk ventures onto the open moor, where the relics of medieval tin workings and prehistoric roundhouses can still be seen. The expansive views across Bodmin Moor are truly breathtaking, offering a sense of the area’s vastness and natural beauty. This route is a perfect blend of scenic landscapes and historical exploration.​

8. Helman Tor and Red Moor

• Location: Near Lanlivery​

• Parking: Small parking area near Helman Tor​

• Dog-Friendly: Yes, but dogs should be on leads due to wildlife​

• Café: None on-site​

• iWalk Cornwall Route: Helman Tor and Red Moor​

• Distance: 3.2 miles (5.2 km)​

• Difficulty: Moderate​

Highlights:

• Neolithic enclosure on Helman Tor

• Cornwall’s largest nature reserve

• Diverse wildlife habitats

This circular walk takes you to the summit of Helman Tor, where a Neolithic enclosure offers a glimpse into ancient times. Descending from the tor, the route leads through Red Moor, Cornwall’s largest nature reserve, renowned for its diverse habitats and wildlife. The walk combines archaeological interest with natural beauty, making it a rewarding experience for history buffs and nature enthusiasts alike.

9. East Moor and Lynher Valleys

• Location: Near North Hill​

• Parking: Limited roadside parking​

• Dog-Friendly: Yes, but be mindful of livestock​

• Café: None on-site

• iWalk Cornwall Route: East Moor and Lynher Valleys

• Distance: 6.2 miles (10 km)​

• Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights:

• Summit of Fox Tor with panoramic views

• Woodland around Tolcarne and Treburland

• Bronze Age hut circles and cairns

Explore one of the less-traveled areas of Bodmin Moor with this circular walk to the summit of Fox Tor. The route offers panoramic views across the moor and passes through charming woodlands around Tolcar

10. Rough Tor and Brown Willy

• Location: Near Camelford​

• Parking: Rough Tor Car Park on Roughtor Road​

• Dog-Friendly: Yes, but keep dogs on leads due to grazing livestock​

• Café: None on-site​

• iWalk Cornwall Route: Rough Tor and Brown Willy​

• Distance: 5.2 miles (8.4 km)​

• Difficulty: Moderate-strenuous​

Highlights:

• Summit of Rough Tor​

• Brown Willy, Cornwall’s highest point​

• Prehistoric cairns and settlements

• Panoramic views across Bodmin Moor​

This circular walk takes you to the summits of Rough Tor and Brown Willy, the two highest points in Cornwall. The route passes through areas rich in prehistoric remains, including cairns and ancient settlements. The ascent offers panoramic views across Bodmin Moor, making the effort well worthwhile. This walk is ideal for those seeking a more challenging hike amidst Cornwall’s rugged beauty.​

Final Thoughts: Where Legends, Landscapes and Lungs Collide

Cornwall’s moorlands are more than just wild, open spaces – they’re living storybooks of granite tors, ancient settlements, and whispered legends carried by the wind. Each walk featured here offers something unique, whether it’s a climb to the county’s highest peak, a stroll through bluebell-lined valleys, or a wander among Bronze Age stones that have stood for thousands of years.

These are walks that make you stop. Breathe. Look around. They ground you in nature, in history, and in the sheer beauty that makes Cornwall so unforgettable.

Every one of these routes is available through the iWalk Cornwall app, which we highly recommend for its pinpoint-accurate directions and local insights. Whether you’re a seasoned rambler or just fancy stretching your legs somewhere stunning, the moor has something waiting for you.

So lace up your boots, charge your phone, and get out there. Cornwall’s moorlands are calling – and the best way to answer is one footstep at a time.