Walking trail
Rocky Valley walk
Plunge into this amazing rocky gorge-like valley to follow a tumbling stream to the sea.
Take in majestic views of the bay near Bossiney
The stream starts life high up on Venn Down, 820ft (250m) above sea level. From there it meanders through fields before tumbling dramatically, first at the waterfalls at St Nectan’s Glen, then through rocky bluffs and deep clefts all the way to the open ocean in the bay near Bossiney. Grade of walk: Trainer (all rounder); type of walk: 'Waterside Walks', 'Hidden Places'.
Map
Start:
Lay-by near the Rocky Valley, grid ref: SX073891
1
Cross the road and follow the path sign down the drive for Trevillet Mill.
St Nectans Kieve
St Nectan (or perhaps St Nighton) has long been associated with this place. St Nectan was the eldest of the 24 children of King Brychan from Breconshire in Wales, all of whom became early church leaders or saints in Wales, Devon or Cornwall. St Nectan was particularly respected at Harland in Devon and he seems to have been popular in the medieval South West. Who knows what miracles might have taken place here? It is an old and venerable valley.
2
Cross the footbridge and enter the woodlands and walk until you reach the ruined mill buildings. On a rockface here you'll find the carvings of the maze patterns.
Nature
Rocky Valley is home to mosses and liverworts including over 160 species, mainly within its very humid upper section. Closer to the sea, maritime exposure maintains grassland communities that have an amazing diversity of wild flowers, providing vivid displays of colour from spring to autumn. The natural rocky stream course supports breeding populations of dipper and grey wagtail, and otter. Insect life includes an unusually large population of the striking scarlet tiger moth and thrift clearwing moth - an uncommon coastal species whose larvae develop in the plant from which it gets its name.
3
Cross another footbridge and follow the streamside path down to the cliff top. Return the same way you came.
Thomas Hardy and Castle Boterel
The Boscastle area was a favourite of Thomas Hardy, the novelist and poet, who wrote about it as Castle Boterel, a region of dream and mystery. He met his first wife, Emma Gifford, here in 1870. The couple enjoyed a magical courtship amongst the landscape of cliffs and valleys, as recalled in one of his many Emma poems: O the opal and the sapphire of that wandering western sea And the woman riding high above with bright hair flapping free. Following Emmas death in 1912, Hardy returned to Boscastle on a sad pilgrimage, revisiting the wild and tragic landscape where the couple had wandered.
4
We hope that you really enjoyed this one-mile walk. We look after some of the most spectacular areas of countryside for the enjoyment of all. We need your support to help us continue our work to cherish the countryside and provide access to our beautiful and refreshing landscapes. To find out more about how you too can help our work as a volunteer, member or donor please visit our homepage.
End:
Lay-by near the Rocky Valley, grid ref: SX073891
