Hayhel one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Hayhel here.

I walked this Slow Way (or as close to the route as possible) in reverse, starting in Helston in November 2022. Unfortunately it was one of those that had some really great parts and sections that were rather unfavourable. Given the problems encountered a re-routing is required. An overview:

- The section from Helston -> Nancegollan is great. Well signed, on quiet roads with no issues at all.
- Problems begin at Kew Skewes farm (at the end of the long track heading west off Drym Road). Upon approaching the buildings at the end of the drive, there is a style and signpost on the right hand side, which doesn't tally with the OS map. Following this path did bring us back onto the right of way though. Although not on the Slow Way, there is no bridge over the stream for the path heading north to Tuckingmill Farm, so this is impassable. The right of way continuing west to Pengelly Mill was overgrown, included a a small footbridge with barbed wire on it's handrail, and a fallen tree forcing diversion into an arable field to get around. We got the impression that the Pengelly Mill complex and those at Kew Skewes (one appears to be a wedding venue and the other a fishing place) don't care about the rights of way linking their landholdings.
- From previous walking experience in the area, I knew that the footpath south of sunny corner is overgrown and not easy to follow, so we walked the roads through Drym up towards Binner Downs.
- We rejoined the Slow Way by walkibng through Fern Farm onto Binner Downs. This was an interesting area, full of tracks and paths, but we couldn't easily get onto the right of way, so instead got spat out onto the road, further east than desired.
- The tracks through Leedstown were fine, if not a bit waterlogged in places.
- The west -> east right of way through a field on the south side of Deveral Farm was unpleasant. It had many cows in the field, which behaved well, but had churned up a lot of the field into a deep muddy mire. Hard to cross.
- Continuing west, on the south side of Taskus farm was generally ok, apart from a point in the middle, crossing fields on a small scrubby path. This was totally overgrown and required some bramble bashing to get through.
- The section along Calais Road heading west towards St Erth Praze is not walker friendly. Fast traffic bomb it up and down this road, and although there are verges to hop onto, it is not safe. The route should not follow this road for any substantial distance.
- The path from Leah heading west onto Strawberry Lane was difficult to work out.
- Lastly, the stretch into Hayle was ok, if a little unpleasant around Hallan Kean Farm where you have to pass through a bit of a dumping ground to continue your way.

We got the L5 bus back to Helston from Hayle without issue.

I will post an alternative route in due course.

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