Luxulyan Valley – Sunday Lunch Walk

Cornwall, Dogs, Eating Out, History, Walks

Ponts Mill – Luxulyan – 3 miles

Wasn’t sure how this walk was going to pan out. The Orrs left their house under cover of a massive thunderstorm, we left ours with hail bouncing off the windscreen, but when we rendezvoused at Ponts Mill, if the sun didn’t come out at least the rain had stopped.

This is one of our favourite walks and one that Harry an Agatha know well. The Luxulyan Valley is a treasure trove of industrial archaeology spread out amongst beech trees waterfalls and giant granite boulders. It is a magical location with abandoned buildings looming out of the undergrowth.

For an easy walk you can stay on the valley floor walking along the river until you get to the massive Treffry Viaduct soaring overhead and then turn around and head back to the car. There’s plenty to see but we decided to head uphill and see more of the sites; its also a nice way to avoid too many people. Not that this walk is ever particularly busy.

The dogs had great fun running up and down the banks of the valley except poor Otto who has a tendency to scoot down badger sets and start fights, so he always remains on lead. He’s a really lovely chap but he can’t resist a good scrap. As we got to the viaduct all the dogs went back on lead. The walk we took doesn’t call for crossing the viaduct but how could we resist? It’s 27 meters tall and is an engineering marvel, beneath our feet ran a leat that was built to carry water all the way to Charlestown, five miles distant. A staggering achievement. We then started to make our way down the valley and followed the river back to our car.

The river was in full spate following all the recent rain, and I had to keep an eye on Agatha; she really can’t resist rivers. However, last year she fell into this river and got stuck. I couldn’t find her anywhere and it was an increasingly panicky fifteen minute before I discovered her stuck between two rocks. I swear, as I clambered over the rocks to help her out, I could hear Michael Burke’s voice pronouncing his doom-laden warning.

This time Agatha decided to steer clear and we headed back to our cars and drove over to The Crown at Lanlivery. And it didn’t rain once.

Gorgeous roasts for three of us, one meal was a bit of a dud. That said the pub is under new hands and the food was a huge improvement. Definitely recommend for flagstone floors, roaring fires and great food. End of meal slightly marred by me losing the van keys and Steve becoming increasingly annoyed. Turns out I’d put them in my boot whilst I changed footwear. Hmm.

This walk is available in Walking with Dogs between Truro and Fowey and Walking in the Fowey Area