Golitha Falls
OS Grid ref:- SX278689
Golitha Falls are situated to the north of Bodmin Moor, 5 km north west of the town of Liskeard and 2 km west of the village of St Cleer.
The unusual name is pronounced 'Goleetha' which derives from the old Cornish word for obstruction.
The falls lie on the River Fowey in an extremely attractive setting, where the river passes over a series of cascades for over eight hundred yards, they are at their best after heavy rain.
The Golitha reserve consists of mainly oak, ash and beech, which occupies the sides of a steep-sided valley gorge, a remnant of an ancient woodland which once covered much of the surrounding area. The falls are reached via a footpath through the woods which commences opposite the car park.
The trail takes the visitor through attractive beechwoods along the banks of the River Fowey, the beeches are notable for the lichens festooning their upper branches, the trees are protected by a Tree Preservation Order and are a relic of the ancient woodland that once covered much of the surrounding area.
The falls are managed by English Nature. There are public toilets at the car-park near the reserve and information panels are provided for visitor information.
Directions
The reserve can be accessed via minor roads from the A38, A30 and B3254.
A walk from Sibblyback Lake to Golitha Falls
Distance- 7.5 miles
Duration - around 4 hours
*Starting from the car park at the east side of Sibblyback Lake, (north of St. Cleer), take the lakeside path which runs south toward the dam.
*Continue along the path until reaching Trekelivesteps until reaching a minor packhorse road, at which point turn left and continue downhill to Draynes Bridge over the River Fowey.
*Follow the river downstream until reaching Golitha Falls. Retrace your steps to return.
Map - Landranger Series 201 -Plymouth and Launceston