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Overall this is a very enjoyable route which showcases some lovely SE Cornwall countryside. However there are a number of instances where the route could be improved – including one significant mistake – and made more accessible. This has dropped the star rating for me, but I do recommend this with the following suggestions.

The route starts in the town of Callington, which has all the amenities likely to be required. From here, however, be warned that the next public toilets are 11 miles away (although a wee could probably be had for the price of a drink at the Weary Friar Inn in Pillaton.) Similarly you will not pass a shop of any significance until the petrol station in Hatt, so come prepared!

Just SW of Callington the route follows a right of way across a field; this is marked on the OS map but the farmer obviously ignored the memos about maintaining public access. The eastern end of this path is all but impossible to find, although this is easily dealt with by walking 50m further along the road and turning right at the roundabout. The western end of the right of way is signed, but going around via the road is a very minor detour.

From here there is a level section until you reach Pencrebar Farm. This is very much a working farm and the right of way goes through the farmyard. There is a sign asking walkers to wash their boots in a trough provided. After the farmyard, however, there is a steep descent over very rough and uneven terrain. This was difficult enough on the dry, sunny day that I walked this route, and I would imagine that this path deteriorates badly in heavy rain. This section would not be accessible to wheelchairs or pushchairs, or anyone who was unsure of their footing.

An alternative route out of Callington to Newbridge which would avoid this difficult section could be via Frogwell Lane. I’ve estimated this would be longer by perhaps a tenth of a mile, but definitely easier and almost certainly quicker due to the terrain.

At Cadsonbury Bridge some care is needed crossing the bridge itself as this is the main road from Callington to Liskeard. Vehicles will approach at pace with relatively little warning of your presence due to the way the road turns and the number of trees. However there are two refuges for pedestrians on the right hand side. Once across, however, the section along the river is a real highlight of the route. This is National Trust land with good paths, but is relatively little known, and is a beautiful, tranquil spot. It's also worth taking a trip to the top of the hill fort itself, but possibly on a different occasion!

The most significant problem with the route is a little way further on. At OS ref SX341666 (What3Words: seaweed.eliminate.canyons) the route on the website turns east over a field and then across the River Lynher, before taking a path south towards Pillaton. It is essential to note that there is NO SUCH PATH NOR RIVER CROSSING HERE. Instead, you need to continue along the road, turning left at SX339664 (testy.forum.crumples) and SX349649 (nicer.linen.metals) until you get to Clapper Bridge. Be alert for logging trucks travelling at speed on this section. On the far side of the bridge it becomes apparent that the whole section of the route you have just bypassed is in fact on private land, operated by a forestry company. Taking this detour adds about another 0.5 miles to the total distance, but is a necessity.

After Clapper Bridge there is another lovely, peaceful wooded section alongside the River Lynher, before the road rises towards Pillaton. The route turns left to take a footpath across a field (approx. SX359646, transfers.gown.wrist). This footpath does exist, as the Cornwall Council waymarker signs confirm, but it goes almost directly up the side of a very steep hill! In terms of distance this saves perhaps a quarter of a mile but it is tough going through what is probably a dairy field, and I would certainly recommend continuing along the road instead.

After Pillaton the route is straightforward, with great views south as far as the city of Plymouth and Plymouth Sound. At SX377635 (smarter.intruding.served) there is an odd turn away from the road to use a marked right of way – this does exist, but is longer than simply continuing south along the road and would only gain you a closer view of the large solar farm at Kernock Park Plants.

At SX382621 (screening.functions.exhale) the route turns left, but this is private land (owned by Popham Alpacas) and there is no right of way. Instead you should continue along the road and it will turn left uphill towards Hatt. In Hatt there is a post office, pub and service station/convenience store. It is a little tricky to cross the busy A388 after Hatt, but there is enough pavement on both sides of the road to feel secure. Botusfleming (or Botus Fleming; local signs apparently haven't decided which is right) is a nice little village with almost no through traffic, and a pub where I missed opening by about 15 minutes.

Just past the Waitrose at Saltash, the route turns east, downhill along a bridleway. From past experience this section can be narrow and tricky underfoot, and a little further down the hill, where there is more tree cover, there are sections which remain wet and muddy throughout all but the very driest of weather, and can be difficult to pass.

As a local, I would definitely advise not bothering with this off-road section: about half of it is right next to the A38 dual carriageway anyway; the remainder offers little in the way of nice scenery other than a brief view of the River Tamar from (almost) sea level, before a steep climb back up into Saltash town. Instead, take the footbridge across the A38 and continue south into Saltash, past the industrial estates, and down into the town centre via Callington Road, past Saltash FC and Longstone Park.

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