Rocky Valley has been formed by the Trevillet river carving its way through the slate bedrock and was mentioned in travel books as a place of exceptional beauty as early as 1897. The river cascades through woodland before opening out into a canyon which meets the coast.
About half way along the path there is the ruin of a mill and monastery next to which are some labyrinthine stone carvings the age of which are unknown (some historians think they could be as early as bronze age, others think they are much more recent).
The entrance to Rocky Valley is (on foot) down the private road to Trevillet Mill - don't be put off by that - it is a public footpath and it's clearly marked when you get to the bottom of the road.
At the bottom of Rocky Valley you can walk half a mile along the coast path to Bossiney Haven to create a circular walk, coming back down the pavement down the hill to the parking area at Rocky Valley.
Directions by car
Head through Tintagel towards Boscastle. As you leave Bossiney (the last part of Tintagel) you go down a hill. There is a small car park on the right at the bottom of the hill, and directly opposite this is the entrance to Rocky Valley.
Directions on foot
Head up Trenale lane next to the post box opposite Park Farm, cross straight over 2 crossroads and down the hill. At the bottom of the hill turn left and the entrance to Rocky Valley is immediately on your right.
Walks passing through Rocky Valley
Boscastle to Rocky Valley (5.5 miles)
The walk starts with a climb out from Boscastle Harbour onto Forrabury Common and joins the coast path passing the medieval field system of "stitches" and the coastguard lookout. The route follows the coast path past the seabird colonies on the rock stacks of Trevalga before descending into Rocky Valley. The walk then follows the river to the top of Rocky Valley and then climbs up to Trethevy where there is a medieval chapel and well. The route from here heads across farmland to Trevalga passing the church and ancient wayside cross before reaching Forabury where there is tea and coffee available in the church before finally descending into Boscastle close to 2 pubs and an excellent bakery.
Bossiney to Rocky Valley (1.75 miles)
The walk starts out across fields then follows the Trevillett river down Rocky Valley though woodland and out into the canyon leading to the sea. The walk then joins the coast path, climbing up onto the headland and behind Benoath Cove and on to Bossiney. The route turns inland though farmland back to the start of the walk.
Rocky Valley, Trevalga and Trethevy (6.75 miles)
This walk also starts along the lane through Trenale but this time goes to the very end. The route then descends through pretty woodland into Rocky Valley through slate canyons where it meets the sea. From here it climbs up onto the coast path towards Boscastle. Further along the coast it loops back into the pretty hamlet of Trevalga and across fields to Trethevy. From here it passes St Piran's Chapel and Well and descends into St Nectan's Glen, climbs out of the other side and along the lane back to Trewarmett. For avid geocachers this is another good one - there are up to 9 geocaches within reach of this route.
