If you’re looking to switch it up and bit and try one of Cornwall’s inland walks, this circular route on Bodmin Moor is a great choice. On one short, relatively easy walk you’ll visit two quarries - one of which is a fantastic wild swimming spot - see an impressive stone circle and climb a picturesque tor. There’s a high chance of encountering some of the gorgeous local ponies too.
The moor is a wild and windswept place so expect to feel the full brunt of the elements, but that does add to the atmosphere and it’s perhaps at its most evocative on a dark and moody day. Here’s what to expect from the trail.
Bodmin Moor and The Cheesewring Circular Walk
The stats
Distance: 4.4 mile (7.1km) circuit
Elevation gain: 240m
Difficulty: Easy - moderate
Trailhead: Hurlers Stone Circle Car Park, Minions
Summary: There is one small hill to climb on the route up to the tor, but otherwise the trail is quite gentle with gradual inclines that never last too long. There is a minor amount of rocky terrain coming down from the tor, but it’s not slippery or scrambly in any way.
The paths are generally in good condition with minimal mud in summer, but it could be a different story at other times of year and it’s best to assume it might be quite wet underfoot.
The walk is not signposted and isn’t always obvious to follow but we have included directions in the notes below.
We didn’t make a perfect circuit when walking this trail, which you could do by visiting Gold Diggings Quarry first, but we wanted to end the walk with a swim rather than start with one. You could adjust the route to avoid all backtracking by heading to Gold Diggings Quarry from the stone circle, instead of going to the Cheesewring first.
Starting the trail: to the Hurlers Stone Circles
From the Hurlers Stone Circle car park, head right (north) along the path parallel to the gravel road. You’ll see the Hurlers Stone Circle almost immediately and reach it after just 300m.
We were lucky enough to see dozens of ponies around the circle which definitely added to the experience.
It’s easily the most ponies we’ve seen on any of our moor walks, including in Dartmoor and Exmoor, which was an unexpected highlight.
There are three stone circles here, thought to be from the neolithic or bronze age and they are considered to be some of the best ceremonial circles in the southwest.
The circles are very slightly off the main trail but easy to get to and only a very minor detour.
Climbing up to the Cheesewring
In case you missed it in the summary, we wanted to end the walk with Gold Diggings Quarry for a swim, but that included a little bit of backtracking. If you want to make a perfect circuit, from the stone circle, head to the quarry first and end your walk with the Cheesewring instead.
To follow our route and end with a swim, after visiting the circles, head back onto the gravel path and follow it to the junction, 650m away (1.05km into the walk).
Turn right to starting heading uphill towards the Cheesewring. Going left here would take you to Gold Diggings Quarry.
You’ll now begin climbing up to the tor which is about 900m away (it’s just under 1.2 miles/2km from the car park). The climb has a couple of minor rocky bits and a few steep points, but it doesn’t take long to get up.
The Cheesewring is a granite tor which I just found out is named for the process used to create cider rather than having anything to do with cheese!
It’s a small but atmospheric rock stack, though the fence running behind it means it’s not quite as photogenic as it once would have been.
The views are great from up here and you can even seen Gold Diggings Quarry in the far distance.
Heading downhill into Cheesewring Quarry
From the Cheesewring you can look down over the disused quarry which is popular with rock climbers. However, it’s much better viewed from below and you can walk right into the quarry to have a proper explore.
Continue past the Cheesewring tor in a northerly direction which takes you through some rocky terrain before reaching a grassy path. The countryside views are gorgeous from here, which was not something I was expecting from the moors!
Follow the path and you will begin descending towards the road, which is roughly 700m from the tor.
Everyone will take a slightly different route here and the paths are not very defined, but it’s easy enough to get down.
Once at the road you’ll notice a path just to the right of it which looks to be the remains of an old tram track.
Follow the old tracks (heading right) which are a little overgrown with grass but easy enough to walk on.
You will pass some boulders (see the photo below) on your right and just after this you will see some ruins and a path leading uphill, this is the route to the quarry. The track passes the ruins before you see a path on the right that takes you to the quarry entrance, which you will reach 900m after starting along the tracks (2.2 miles/3.6km into the walk).
From the Cheesewring Quarry to Gold Diggings Quarry
You can walk right into the quarry on a good track and if you’re visiting on a weekend there’s likely to be one or two climbers around which is always fun to watch.
It’s not a huge quarry but it’s well worth having a little poke around and think about the fact that stone from this very spot was used to build Tower Bridge in London!
It’s also a bit more sheltered from the wind so it makes a nice place to take a break before moving onto Gold Diggings, which is approximately 0.8 miles (1.3km) away.
Head back out of the quarry and turn right, after approximately 450m you’ll see a path heading west (right) and you will just about be able to see the quarry in the distance (off to the right). The walk between the two quarries is mainly uphill, but it’s not too strenuous.
You could continue up to the gravel path that will take you to the quarry, but it’s slightly quicker to cut across the grass instead - as long as it hasn’t been too wet - otherwise you’re best going up to the gravel path.
Gold Diggings Quarry and finishing the circuit
Gold Diggings Quarry is one of the most popular wild swimming spots in Cornwall and it’s easy to see why. While it doesn’t have the clear turquoise water of the region’s tidal pools, it makes up for it with the fabulous craggy rock walls and large deep pool, perfect for a proper swim.
It’s also a favourite spot with cliff jumpers, though always depth check the water first.
The quarry is worth a look even if you don’t want to swim and it’s easy to get down to the water’s edge (with a mandatory few steps of rocky terrain). Once at the water you can follow the path right to see another smaller pool.
In recent years there had been no swimming signs put up at the site but these have been removed as of our visit in July 2026. We’re not sure why but we were happy to see it!
Once you’ve finished at the quarry, you have just over a 1 mile (1.7km) walk back along the gravel path to the car park, which is mainly level.
Where to park and getting to the Bodmin Moor and Cheesewring Circular Walk
The closest car park to the trailhead is the The Hurlers Stone Circle Car Park, postcode PL14 5LW, which you can see here on Google maps. It’s a large gravel car park and free of charge, though it can fill up during the summer holidays when lots of people come to swim at Gold Diggings.
There are no facilities at the car park. It’s located just under a 30 minute drive from Bodmin, and an hour from Padstow and Newquay.
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All the best wild swimming spots in Cornwall, from shimmering turquoise rockpools to emerald lagoons, quarry pools and stunning waterfalls. If you love longer swims there are many calm stretches of water where you can swim from bay to bay stopping at all the little gorgeous coves along the way.