Circular Walk from Cornwood via Quarry lake and East Rook Gate

Description

Starting from Cornwood Square. At crossroads, take north-westerly road towards Lee Moor.

(1) At end of single lane section, take the second entrance on right into the woodland. Turn almost immediately left onto a path running parallel to the road. Follow this path for approx. 300m until it opens out with road on left.
Cross the road onto open common at Heathfield Down. Cross common diagonally to gate in NW corner.

(2) Go through the gate and continue in the same direction by taking the path on left through Sheraleers Wood to a gate in approx. 400m.
Go through the gate and turn left. Then, almost immediately, sharp right following the path through Newpark Wood. If in doubt keep to left. After approx. 400m, go through the gate at Quick Bridge and turn right on the bridleway.

(3) Follow this lane uphill for approx. 800m through a felled conifer plantation. At top of the lane, with farm entrance on your right, turn left and almost immediately right to follow bridleway sign.

(4) Continue uphill on this track passing china clay quarry lake on your left. Continue to climb uphill until you reach open moorland. Immediately after a Bridleway signpost on the left take the rutted path off to the right. As the path crests the rise you'll see ahead of you a lone small tree at the end of a wall and some way to the left of a line of larger trees.

(5) Follow the sheep trails across the open moor to the small tree.
Pass to the left of the tree, crossing a slightly boggy area, then bear off left at an angle of about 30 degrees to the wall on your right until you are about 100m from the wall. Follow the wall at this distance for about 350m, skirting a very boggy area which you'll leave to your right. You'll see Plymouth Sound in the distance behind you to the right and Cornwood Village nestled in the distant valley ahead of you and to the right. Aim for the end of the wall where it turns 90 degrees to the right.

(6) As you pass the corner of the wall, follow the sheep trail downhill with the wall on your right. When you again see Cornwood in the distance, follow the trail towards it. The trail develops into a clearly defined footpath through a group of small trees and shrubs. This path continues, reaching a wall which you keep on your right. Follow the path to West Rook Gate. The path is blocked by old metal gates just before the exit to the gate - take the detour to the left of the gates before rejoining the path.

(7) At this point, you can shorten the route by taking the West Rook Gate exit from the Moor and following the road back to Heathfield Down.
Continue on the path past the exit for West Rook Gate for approx 300m to the exit for East Rook Gate at the end of this section of wall.

(8) Turn right off the moor and follow the rocky path to East Rook gate. Go through the gate and, when the path widens into a tarmacked road, follow that road downhill for about 1km (keeping to the right if in doubt) to a t-junction. Turn right at the junction and walk approx 300m back to Cornwood Square.(A)