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Tamar Trails - First Phase Now Open!

The first phase of the Tamar Trails Network is now open, with around 25km of new trails and footpaths to explore!

The new network has been created as part of the multi-million pound Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project.  As one of the landmark achievements of this ambitious project, the Trails have opened up parts of the Tamar Valley that were previously not accessible to the public.

“The Mining Heritage Project has been a real working partnership, steered by the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with the support of many external consultants, staff, contractors and our accountable funding body, West Devon Borough Council,” says Cllr. Neil Burden, Chairman of Tamar Valley AONB Partnership.

Neil Burden, Cllr. Alison Clish-Green, Mayor of West Devon and Cllr. Debo Sellis from Devon County Council cut the ribbon to officially open the first phase of the Trails Network, which starts at the newly created Bedford Sawmills car park, on the A390 between Gunnislake and Tavistock.

The crowd also got the opportunity to see one of the first local businesses to have sprung up around the trails network: Tree Surfers – a canopy complex of walkways and zip wires that allows visitors to enjoy the views from the tree-tops.

Mayor of West Devon, Cllr. Alison Clish-Green says: “This a very rural and beautiful area. It’s hard, especially at the moment in a recession, to find ways to create new employment. The signs are that the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project will help keep this area alive.  This project is about celebrating the mining heritage of the Tamar Valley, and telling stories about people who lived, worked and died here during this episode in the valley’s history."

The Project has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Government Office for the South West, South West Regional Development Agency, Rural Renaissance, Tamar Valley AONB, Devon County Council, South West Water and West Devon Borough Council.

Cllr. Debo Sellis from Devon County Council says: “As well as achievements in access and recreation, the project has seen much conservation work within it, including refurbishment of key archaeological features like the calciners and chimneys of Devon Great Consols to habitat restoration for rare species like the greater horseshoe bat and heath fritillary butterfly.”

Linking the ‘mines to the quays’, the trails take visitors on a journey back in time, while enjoying some of the most precious habitats in the country. From the stark lunar setting of Devon Great Consols – once the biggest copper mine in Europe – to stunning views across the valley, framed by coniferous and broad-leaf woodland, there is something for everyone. The trails can be used for a variety of activities from walking to cycling to horse-riding. Information boards and new waymarkers guide the way for various users.

Trails guides and maps are available to download for free - CLICK HERE.  Full trail guides will be produced and available for sale after the completion of the second, and final, phase of work.

Click here to find out about the Morwellham & Trails Bus Link running this summer.

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