Tamar Trails
Around 25km of brand new trails have been created as part of the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project. There are eight trails, each one is available to a variety of users, including cyclists, walkers, mountain bikes and horse-riders.
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The trails start at Bedford Sawmills car park, located just off the A390 between Gunnislake and Tavistock. Parking fees apply. Parking permits are available for car-users and horse-boxes - please see below for more information.
Devon Great Consols will be the most northerly point of the trails, which then travel south along the River Tamar through Bedford and Russell Mines, down to Morwellham Quay, linking to Newquay by a section of footpath. In Phase 2, work will start on improving access along the Tavistock Canal, linking it to a cycling/walking route along the old Tavistock to Bere Alston railway.
Work has also taken place to conserve many heritage sites along the trails, making them safe for public access, as well as improving biodiversity through measures such as controlling invasive species, habitat management to encourage the heath fritillary butterfly and ensuring conservation works still allow the resident bat populations to continue roosting in the old mine shafts and buildings.
The start of the Tamar Trails is also the location for Tree Surfers - an adrenalin-pumping network of canopy walkways, zip wires and rope courses run by local company Dartmoor Outdoors.
A new trails leaflet has just been printed and can be found at the Tamar Valley Centre or local outlets, as well as by clicking to download individual sections below.
Overview map
Devon Great Consols Trail
Wheal Maria Trail
Wheal Josiah and Chimney Rock Walks
Morwellham to Newquay Walk
Newquay – Gawton Path
(Work to be completed in Phase 2)
Where? Nearest town – Tavistock, also close Bere Alston and Gunnislake
Type? Footpath only
Tavistock Canal Trail
(Work to be completed in Phase 2)
Where? Tavistock, heading out on the Bere Peninsula towards Bere Alston
Type? Footpath and cycle route
Part of our mining heritage includes large contaminated arsenic spoil tips. Although, arsenic is no longer mined here, the element can still poison anyone who touches or consumes it – even by accident. Please see the on-site interpretation boards for the Trails Code of Conduct to ensure everyone can enjoy the routes safely.
Parking at the Trails
The daily rate to park your car in Bedford Sawmills car park is £2 per day. However, local resident permits are available, valid in the Bedford Sawmills car park. To qualify for the resident permit you need to be resident in the parishes of Bere Ferrers, Gulworthy, Sydenham Damerel or Calstock.
Residents Permits
The resident permits will cost £25 per year and run from 1 April until 31 March. This will allow holders free parking at Bedford Sawmills car park. Permit charges will be reduced to £12.50 for applications received after 30 September. CLICK HERE - Download the form.
Horse Riders
Local horse riders will be able to apply for an annual permit to park horse-boxes and trailers in the Bedford Sawmills. This permit is not parish restricted and will cost £5 per year to cover administration, running from 1 April until 31 March each year. Please note horseboxes and trailers will still have to pay a daily rate when using the car park at £4 per day. Horse permits cannot be used in conjunction with local resident car park permits. CLICK HERE - Download the form.
All parking charges go towards maintenance of the Tamar Trails network.
If you would like to find out more, please email enquiries@tamarvalley.org.uk
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