Walk: Roughtor

ROUGHTOR, on Bodmin Moor, has always been a mystical and sacred hill. CED RENISON takes you on a walk to its summit - and, if you can handle another couple of miles, to another tor, Brown Willy, the highest point in Cornwall.

Directions: Roughtor is only one hour from Exeter or Plymouth. From the A39, 300 metres north of Camelford (North Cornwall), take Higher Cross Lane, or follow the sign to Roughtor, along a fairly straight lane for 2.5 miles to the car park, where the lane ends. Your children will love the amazing hidden roller-coaster drop on the way! Beyond the car park is a stream, which makes a pleasant picnic spot. Pick a clear day.

Roughtor (pronounced 'row-tor') has a strong presence and exerts a real power. Inevitably windy, being 400 metres above sea level, it offers great views and fascinating weathered granite summit boulders, and has a long history.

Surrounded by small boulders (clitter), there are numerous stone remains of bronze age huts and enclosures. Fernacre and other stone circles lie close by. Many megalithic monuments on Bodmin Moor and throughout Cornwall seem to be aligned to Roughtor, which has always been a mystical and sacred hill.

Brown Willy, one mile south east of Roughtor, is less dramatic but, at 420 metres, represents the highest point in Cornwall. It is privately owned, and grazed by cattle under commoners' rights. The only sound may be from skylarks. Look out too for stonechats, and bloody-nosed beetles.

In this part of Bodmin Moor, there are numerous bronze-age and neolithic sites - stone rows, circles and standing stones, most of which appear to be aligned in some way, commonly to the midsummer/winter sunrise, or Beltane/Lammas sunset.

A detailed guide to the alignments is available in Boscastle visitor centre.

The walks
Stroll uphill to Roughtor through the hut circles, and climb to the highest rock. Try and find St Michael's well near the summit, and enjoy the coastal views.

Allow around 90 minutes for the 2.5 mile round walk - it is further than it looks.

Stride further on to Brown Willy, following the rather muddy path to the summit. The coast is visible, and Lundy Island seems bigger than it should be. Allow at least an extra hour for the extra two miles. Take some food and drink.