Location: Draynes Wood, southern edge of Bodmin Moor (National Nature Reserve)
Distance from West Kellow Yurts: Around 30 minutes by road
Allow: 1 to 2 hours
Golitha Falls is one of the best-loved natural beauty spots on Bodmin Moor and a perfect short outing from West Kellow Yurts. A series of cascades on the upper reaches of the River Fowey, set within an ancient oak woodland of mosses, lichens and dappled light, just a short drive away.
What to expect
The Fowey here drops around 90 metres through a steep wooded gorge, with the river running fast over rocky ground and tumbling through a series of cascades and pools. It's not a single dramatic waterfall (don't come expecting Niagara), but a sequence of smaller falls that feel intimate and atmospheric, set within Draynes Wood. The walk down to the main falls is around half a mile through ancient sessile oak woodland on a mostly level path.
The woodland is the real specialism here. Golitha is a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the extraordinary diversity of mosses, liverworts and lichens (over 150 species recorded), supported by the consistently damp microclimate of the gorge. Coppicing has been practised in these woods since at least the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, and Natural England (who manage the reserve) has reintroduced coppicing on a small scale to demonstrate the technique.
Wildlife includes otters and dippers on the river, dormice in the woods, three species of bat (noctule, brown long-eared, lesser horseshoe), and around 80 species of moth. Just past the falls you can see the remains of buildings from the Wheal Victoria copper mine, in operation in the 1840s and 1850s.
The falls are most dramatic after rain. In dry summer weather they're gentler, but the woodland itself is always atmospheric, and the shade is welcome on a hot day.
Getting there from West Kellow
Drive north on the A38 towards Liskeard, then take the minor roads through St Cleer and on to Draynes Bridge. Around 30 minutes door to door. The reserve car park is at Draynes Bridge, signposted from the A38 and the village of St Cleer.
Practical info
Entry to Golitha Falls is free. The car park is also free, though Inkie's Smokehouse next door (a popular barbecue restaurant) asks visitors to make a small purchase from them or the shop next door if you're using the parking for non-Inkie's reasons. There are toilets in the car park.
Is Golitha Falls dog-friendly? Yes. Dogs are welcome.
Is Golitha Falls suitable for pushchairs? The first half-mile of paths from the car park is on fairly level ground and suitable for most. There are also several waymarked trails including accessible routes. Once you're past the main falls, the going gets rougher: rocky, uneven and steep in places.
When is the best time to visit Golitha Falls? After heavy rain for the most dramatic flow. Bluebells in April and May. Autumn for the woodland colour.
The path can be muddy after rain, so waterproof walking shoes or boots are recommended.
While you're there
Golitha pairs perfectly with the Cheesewring and the Hurlers at Minions, just up the road on Bodmin Moor: a great half-day combo if you want to see two distinct sides of the moor (woodland gorge then open moorland tor). Inkie's Smokehouse next to the car park does excellent barbecue if you're hungry afterwards. King Doniert's Stone, a 9th-century carved cross, is a short walk away if you want to add a bit of history.
Find out more: https://www.britainexpress.com/counties/cornwall/countryside/golitha-falls.htm
