Location: Minions village, Bodmin Moor (Cornwall Heritage Trust / Natural England)
Distance from West Kellow Yurts: Around 30 minutes by road
Walk distance: Loop of around 2 miles (allow 1.5 to 2 hours)
A walk that takes in two of Bodmin Moor's most striking sights in a single easy loop. The Hurlers, three Bronze Age stone circles dating from around 1500 BC, sit just outside the moor village of Minions. From there it's an easy uphill walk across open moorland to the Cheesewring, a natural granite tor that looks impossibly stacked against the skyline. The whole loop is around 2 miles, with sweeping views over the moor, ancient monuments, mining ruins, and a pub at the end.
What to expect
Start at the free Hurlers car park in Minions and follow the signs towards the Hurlers themselves. After around 200 metres you'll reach the Pipers, two standing stones around 13 to 15 feet tall. Just beyond are the three Hurlers stone circles, a unique grouping of three closely arranged Bronze Age circles dating from around 1500 BC. Local legend says these are the petrified remains of men who broke the Sabbath by playing the Cornish game of hurling. (The Pipers are their musicians, similarly turned to stone.)
From the circles, follow the old quarry tramway track north towards Stowe's Hill. The path is broad and mostly level, with sheep and Dartmoor ponies grazing freely on either side. After around half a mile you'll reach the Cheesewring itself: a natural granite tor of huge weathered slabs stacked impossibly high, sitting on the rim of a long-disused quarry. The name comes from the traditional cheese press it's said to resemble.
The Cheesewring is a natural geological formation, weathered over thousands of years, with some slabs up to 30 feet across resting on much smaller rocks. From the top of Stowe's Hill (1,249 feet), you get sweeping views across Bodmin Moor in every direction. On a clear day you can see Dartmoor in the east and the Atlantic to the north. Stowe's Pound, the remains of a Bronze Age hillfort, surrounds the summit.
The walk back to Minions follows the old quarry tramway track, passing the engine houses of the South Phoenix Mine, a reminder of the moor's 19th-century copper mining boom.
Getting there from West Kellow
Take the A38 west, then turn off towards Liskeard, then north on the road through St Cleer to Minions. Around 30 minutes. Park at the Hurlers car park (postcode PL14 5LE), which is free.
Practical info
The walk is around 2 miles in total and can be done in 1.5 to 2 hours at a relaxed pace. The going is mostly level, with one steady climb up to the Cheesewring on Stowe's Hill. Sturdy footwear is recommended (the moor underfoot can be wet, and there are loose stones near the top).
Is the Cheesewring walk dog-friendly? Yes. Sheep and ponies graze on the open moor, so dogs need to be on leads no longer than 2 metres between 1 March and 31 July (breeding period for ground-nesting birds), and under close control year-round.
Is the Cheesewring walk suitable for kids? Yes, with supervision. The walk is short enough to manage for most ages over about 5, the route is well-trodden, and the Cheesewring itself is genuinely impressive. Take care near the quarry edge at the top.
Are the Hurlers free to visit? Yes. The Hurlers, the Cheesewring, and the wider Minions area are all on open access land. Free parking, free entry.
The Cheesewring Hotel in Minions village is the highest pub in Cornwall and the obvious stop for a pint and a meal afterwards. The Minions Heritage Centre, in the restored Houseman's Engine House at the top of the car park, has a free exhibition on the area's mining history.
When is the best time to visit? Clear days for the views. The moor can be exposed and weather changes fast, so check the forecast and bring a layer even in summer. Sunset from Stowe's Hill is exceptional.
While you're there
The Cheesewring pairs naturally with Golitha Falls, 15 minutes' drive away on the southern edge of the moor: a great half-day combo for two distinct kinds of Bodmin Moor walk. Trethevy Quoit, an extraordinary Neolithic burial chamber dating to around 3,500 BC, is a 5-minute drive away and free to visit.
Find out more: https://www.britainexpress.com/counties/cornwall/countryside/cheesewring.htm
