Walked by Fi Darby
SOUTH WEST
4.2 miles/6.8km 2.5 hours Moderate 111m
Minion’s engine house ruins tell the tale of its tin and copper mining history, but this area is also packed full of Neolithic and Bronze Age artefacts, not all of them as visible as the famous Hurlers stone circles and impressive Pipers standing stones.
This 4.2-mile walk is a treasure hunt through history. Pass the Hurlers and Pipers to discover Gold Diggings Quarry then enjoy fascinating glimpses into Craddock Moor’s inhabited past. Find a lesser-known stone circle, a miniature stone row, a lonely mine and a medieval cross on this quieter walking route.
As it crosses open moorland, this route requires navigation ability, but if you don’t want to walk the whole distance, the stone circles and tearoom are near the start.
1 START
From the Cheesewring car park (not the one signposted for the Hurlers) head away from the road towards the disused engine house of the South Phoenix Mine.
Walk west for 300 metres to the Hurlers stone circles. This grouping of three similar-sized circles is unique in England. Enjoy views north towards the Cheesewring quarry and rock stacks.
Continue west 100 metres to meet the track and admire the Pipers standing stones. It isn’t known whether these are the same age as the Hurlers or more recent.
2 0.5 MILES
Follow the track north-west, keeping right at the first fork then left at the second. After the second fork, at a slight bend in the track, look out for an overgrown mound: a hidden burial cairn.
Continue up the track until you reach beautiful Gold Diggings Quarry.
3 1.3 MILES
Leave the quarry to head south-west for 300 metres until you spot the ruins of an old enclosure.
From the ruins, head west and downhill for 800 metres, looking out for a stone row just before you reach the wall. Compared to the Hurlers, these stones are tiny and easy to
