Kennall Vale
This nature reserve near Falmouth has a series of walking trails to follow. The reserve consists of woodland with pretty streams and interesting flora and fauna to look out for. Keep your eyes peeled for the pipistrelle bat and a variety of woodland birds. It's a lovely shady spot with the rushing waters of the River Kennall and the sound of the birds in the trees. The area also has an interesting history with the ruins, leats and waterwheel houses of Kennall Vale Gunpowder Works.
You can start the walk from the little village of Ponsanooth which lies just to the east of the reserve.
To extend your walking in the area then you could visit the nearby Stithians Lake. The country park includes nice cycling and walking trails around a large lake.
Postcode
TR3 7HJ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsKennall Vale Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Kennall Vale Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Kennall Vale OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Kennall Vale Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The village of Ponsanooth is just a short stroll from the reserve. Here you will find The Stag Hunt Inn, a fine village pub with a great selection of real ales and fine food. You can find them at 20 St Michael's Road, Ponsanooth with a postcode of TR3 7EE for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The woods and river paths are ideal for dog walking so you'll probably see plenty of other owners on your walk. The Stag Hunt Inn mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The reserve is located a few miles south west of Truro. There's some nice trails along the Truro River to Boscawen Park and the pretty estuary at Malpas. Truro is also notable as Cornwall's only city and includes a wonderful cathedral which is well worth a visit.
Just west of Falmouth there's a good circular trail to follow around Argal Reservoir near Penryn. There's also the ancient Mabe church and a boardwalk on the adjacent College Reservoir to see here.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cornwall Walks page.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cornwall Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
The River Kennall in Kennall Vale. The energy of this fast flowing river was used in the past to power mills which manufactured gunpowder for use in the local mining industry.
Kennall Vale Mill. A range of buildings beside the River Kennall, housing former mills. Now converted to holiday accommodation
The River Kennall at Kennall Vale Mill. Downstream from here the river runs through a steeply wooded valley which contains many relics of the industrial past when the valley housed powder mills, producing explosives for use in the local mining industry.
The entrance to Kennall Vale Nature Reserve. This former industrial area in a wooded valley contains the remains of many gunpowder mills. The humid atmosphere allows many varieties of ferns and mosses to flourish; dippers can be seen by the numerous watercourses and many bats have made homes in the derelict buildings. The site is managed by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
There is a complex system of leats in Kennal Vale to direct watercourses to the numerous powder mills which used to manufacture gunpowder for use in the local mines.
Ruined building in Roches Wood. The Vale was the site of many gunpowder mills during the 19th Century, producing gunpowder for use in the local mining industry. This is one of the many industrial remains to be found in the woods.