Danescombe Valley walk at Cotehele
Starting at the Cotehele Quay car park, this trail through the picturesque Danescombe Valley passes a number of fascinating relics from the area's rich mining history.
Total steps: 10
Total steps: 10
Start point
Cotehele Quay car park. Grid ref: SX423681
Step 1
Take the path above the car park, which leads into the woods. Continue along this path, keeping the fields on your right and the woodland on your left.
Step 2
Continue along the path, past the Chapel-in-the-Wood on your right, and the Valley Garden. Eventually, you'll get to a viewpoint that looks out towards the Calstock Viaduct.
Step 3
Follow the path up the steep slope from the viewpoint until you reach a junction. Turn right and take the route down the hill towards Calstock.
Step 4
At the bottom of the hill, you'll reach another junction. Turn left here and continue along the road, past the ruins of Danescombe Sawmill. Keep going until you reach a group of cottages.
Step 5
At the cottages, cross over the bridge and continue along the track ahead of you, keeping the stream on your left. Walk all the way through the woodland until you reach a road.
Step 6
From this point, you can continue following the designated route or take a detour (Step 7) to visit the ruins of Danescombe Papermill. To continue following the route, turn left when you reach the road and then almost immediately take the next left, turning back onto a track and through the gate. Continue to Step 8.
Step 7
To visit the ruins, walk down the road and take the track on the right, which then forks. Take the track on the immediate right of Danescombe Cottage. Keep the stream on your right and follow the track a short distance to the ruins. You'll need to return to the road to continue the route back to Cotehele.
Step 8
Follow the track across the field and re-enter the woodland through a gate at the far end. Please note that it can get muddy underfoot here. Continue along the route, looking out for chimneys through the treeline. Stay on the main path, ignoring any off-shooting tracks.
Step 9
Walk down the short, steep slope and you'll find yourself back on the path you walked up from the quay. Turn right and follow the path along the edge of the Valley Garden until you reach a courtyard.
Step 10
To finish the route, walk through the courtyard in front of Cotehele's visitor reception area, then follow the driveway straight down the steep hill and through the white gate at the bottom. Turn left and walk past the Edgcumbe tea-room to return to the Cotehele Quay car park.
End point
Cotehele Quay car park. Grid ref: SX423681
Trail map
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