On the east side of Bodmin moors is a small moorland village of Minions, where there is a pleasant walk along a disused railway line, with a short climb to the top of Stowe Hill and the Cheesewring, before following a track back to a standing stone and The Hulers stone circles.
(S/E) From the car park, head northeast along the old dismantled railway line. The track will split along the way to (2) keep to the right track. At (1) The route will cross an old tramway, continue around the contour of the hill to where the track meets a country lane, before turning left.
(2) Head south and up to the top of Stowel Hill, choose the route from here to (4) with care, as there are large boulders and potholes to scramble over. Care at the top, there is a wall around an old quarry, with drops.
(3) At the Cheesewring granite stack, continue south and down to the moorland where the route joins an old rail track. Option: To shorten the route at (4) turn left and east to follow the track back to (E). To continue heading west, which will then veer to a southerly direction to.
(5) Additional disused tracks will join from the right, continue heading in a southerly direction, which again will veer to a southeasterly direction near to 'The Pipers' standing stone. To the left, the old engine house will be visible, subject to cloud cover, the Hurlers stone circles are due east. Continue along the track to the road, turn left and northeast to (E).
Waypoints
S/E : mi 0 - alt. 997 ft - Minions car park
1 : mi 0.62 - alt. 994 ft - Old tramway
2 : mi 1.25 - alt. 994 ft - Left on the old railway line
3 : mi 1.69 - alt. 1,155 ft - Cheesewring rock
4 : mi 1.84 - alt. 1,112 ft - Old rail line
5 : mi 2.2 - alt. 1,076 ft - Tracks merging
6 : mi 2.83 - alt. 991 ft - Turn left on the road
S/E : mi 3.07 - alt. 997 ft - Minions car park
Notes
Before the walk
Ensure the walk matches your needs, skills, and abilities
Check the weather forecast.
Be prepared with suitable clothing and footwear.
Personal medication
Consider something to eat, and always keep hydrated; take a drink.
Use the Visorando app, download the walk to your mobile. Consider a battery backup and or a printed route.
Let someone know where you are. The app has a share route function, ‘Share my Location’.
Transport: There is a community bus Service passing through the village. Timings of the buses should be confirmed, allowing for the return trip
Parking: Vehicle parking - There is convenient vehicle parking in the area.
Timing: The estimated time allows for extra time, when appropriate, for exploration and personal pace.
The Route: The route has been assigned "Easy" There are good tracks, but consider a section of open moorland and some scrambling at the top.
Accessibility: The climb to the top, and down Stowe Hill, has various stepped routes to negotiate
Facilities: The tea rooms, seasonal openings
Handrail: Is a linear feature that has been identified as a road, wall, etc
Option: There is an option to shorten this route (4) to (E)
Start: This walk's starting point, Minions car park- W3W >>>
During the walk
The Route: Where applicable, keep to the defined paths
Follow the Highway and Country Codes: The Countryside: Respect its inhabitants, and other Countryside users
Leave no trace: leave only footprints, but take away great memories
Farmland: Leave gates as found. Be mindful around farms, be cautious of farm animals, and go around, not through, herds or flocks. Keep off the field where crops are growing, stay on the path. Farmers do have special powers regarding dogs worrying, even on open-access land.
Dogs: Keep under control, and bag it and bin it, don't sling it.
Self-care: Know your own limitations; walking is an adventure and can involve risks. Be responsible and know when to turn back, rather than get into difficulties
First Aid: Treat blisters before they occur,
Groups: Walking within a group? Start together, keep together, end together.
Enjoyed the walk:
Where you can: Support the local economy: have a pint, a pasty, or a cuppa.
Feedback from this walk: Please leave your thoughts
Report any findings; see app ' ! '
Worth a visit
Along the route
Minions, claimed to be the home of the 'Minions', as they have the same name
To open this route on your smartphone, you must have the Visorando app installed. If not, got to the Apple Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) to download the app.