Cardinham Woods and Lady Vale Walk

Route Description for Cardinham Woods and Lady Vale Walk

Featuring some beautiful forest scenery, the Cardinham Woods and Lady Vale Walk will also present you with some woodland pathways that can be fairly muddy after periods of wet weather. Be sure to wear proper walking boots when setting out on this walk. Additionally, the parking lot can be fairly busy, so try to arrive a bit early if you are looking to secure a space and enjoy some solitude on the trails.

If you are after a quiet woodland walk where you can explore the natural beauty of the Cornish landscape, then look no further than this fantastic trail. While there aren’t many thrilling highlights, the wonderful woodland atmosphere and relaxing riverside setting are enough to allow you to escape the chaos of the outside world and reconnect with nature. This is a wonderful journey that can be enjoyed by walkers of nearly every skill level.

Setting out from the trailhead, you will head west across the footbridge spanning Cardinham Water and make your way past the Woods Cafe, which is a great place to grab a treat before heading out on your walk. After meeting up with the road, make two consecutive right turns and follow along the track as it heads to the northeast.

Keeping the winding banks of Cardinham Water on your right for the next 3.3 km, you will make your way through the wonderfully atmospheric forest landscape of Cardinham Woods, while taking in the views of both the picturesque riverside setting and the surrounding mixture of tree varieties. Eventually, you will come to a junction with a road and turn right, following it for 160ft to cross over the river and pick up another trail on your right.

After traversing the open fields to the southeast, you will pass by the 15th Century St Meubred’s Church and follow the road south for 104 m. Here, you will turn right onto a footpath and follow it back to the southwest across the countryside, before re-entering the forest. After meeting up with a track, you will follow it to the southwest for another 2.3 km, keeping the banks of Cardinham Water on your right as you once again pass through the beautiful forest setting on the return to the car park where you started the Cardinham Woods and Lady Vale Walk.

Trail Highlights

St Meubred’s Church

Located in the charming village of Cardinham in Cornwall, St Meubred’s Church is a beautiful building that dates back to the 15ht Century. The structure is dedicated to Mybbard (Meubred), an Irish missionary who came to Cornwall in the 6th Century and was later beheaded.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many acres is Cardinham Woods?

Located southeast of Bodmin in Cornwall, Cardinham Woods covers an area of 650 acres.

Are dogs allowed in Cardinham Woods?

Featuring a great selection of walking routes throughout its 650 acre expanse, Cardinham Woods is accessible to both humans and dogs.

Insider Hints for Cardinham Woods and Lady Vale Walk

• Wear proper walking boots that are preferably water-resistant, as the woodland terrain can become wet and muddy after a good rainfall.
• The Woods Cafe near the trailhead is a great place for pre/post-walk refreshments.