Date walked: 18th Janurary, 2009.

Weather: Bright winter weather.

Time taken: 11.00- 14.30

A walk from Gunnislake through Blanchdown Wood returning via lane and road.

Cross the New Bridge at Gunnislake, take the left turn  at the Toll House along the track next to the river. Enter Blanchdown Wood and keep on the track gently head up hill, take the first left turn through a metal gate ( the first  non gated left turn is a drive to a house). Go down hill and head to the river, keep on this track passing paring for fishing beats. There are good views of the river and opposite bank. Pass Weir Cottage and exit the wood at the Scrubtor car park.
I walked backup the hill to Chipshop and then returned passing the Horn of Plenty (below Honey Tor) and down the steep one way cut back to New Brdge.

Birds: very few

Flowers: very few.

Small joys ( and an alert!): the views across the river are great, particularly in winter.The Heritage Trail paths are not fully open yet but will be super and are well marked. There is one shaft close to the track which looks like a swimming pool flume, it is fenced but I would suggest some extra vigilance with adventurous small people.


Above you can see the view from the road lane under Honey Tor (past the Horn of Plenty) looking back over where  you have just walked and over the bridge with Hingston Down quarry and Kit Hill in the background.

The track through Blanchdown  Wood. (I think this walk is probably at its best in winter. Local friends walk this route to a lunch at the pub at Horsebridge- the Chipshop in does food too)