SX1580 : View towards Brown Willy

Brown Willy

420m Elevation
322m Prominence
England Country
Find walking friends Explore routes

Good walks are even better shared.

SX1580 : View towards Brown Willy

Roger Cornfoot Photo source

Explore routes near Brown Willy

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Widemouth Bay to Bude Coastal and Canal

10.8 km ~3h Moderate

View route

Padstow to Trevone coastal circular

12.3 km ~3h 30m Moderate

View route

Ropehaven Cliffs and Black Head

3.4 km ~1h 30m Moderate

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Brown Willy via Rough Tor

This popular route starts from the Rough Tor car park and ascends via Rough Tor before continuing to the summit of Brown Willy, Cornwall's highest point. The path is well-trodden and offers stunning views of Bodmin Moor. The route loops back via Showery Tor, providing a mix of rocky outcrops and open moorland.

8.5 km ~3 hours Moderate

Brown Willy Circular from Jamaica Inn

Starting from the iconic Jamaica Inn, this circular walk takes you across Bodmin Moor, through open moorland and ancient tracks, before ascending to Brown Willy. The route offers a blend of historical interest and natural beauty, with opportunities to spot wildlife along the way.

12 km ~4.5 hours Challenging

Short Ascent from Bowithick

This shorter route begins at Bowithick and is ideal for walkers with limited time. It takes you directly to Brown Willy, bypassing Rough Tor, and offers a straightforward ascent with rewarding views from the summit.

6 km ~2 hours Easy

Brown Willy and Rough Tor Circular from Poldue Downs

This scenic circular route starts at Poldue Downs and takes in both Brown Willy and Rough Tor. The trail navigates through wild moorland and includes some challenging ascents, but the panoramic views make it well worth the effort.

10 km ~3.5 hours Moderate

Extended Bodmin Moor Exploration

For experienced hikers, this extended route covers Brown Willy, Rough Tor, and other highlights of Bodmin Moor. Starting from the car park at Crowdy Reservoir, it offers a full day’s hike through varied terrain, including boggy sections and rugged paths.

18 km ~6 hours Hard
Browse more walks on the map

Make a day of it, together

Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.

Find walking friends Plan a walk here
Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn 400-499m hill Historic County Top (pre-1889) Administrative County Top (1889 to 1996) Current County/UA Top

Elevation

420m

1,378 ft

Prominence

322m

Coordinates

50.5906, -4.6027

SX158799

OS Map

201

Explorer: 109

At the Summit

The summit boasts a large stone cairn and a fantastic trig point, perfect for those Instagram shots, or just to confirm you’ve made it to the top.

Terrain & Geology

Rocky and grassy with patches of bog and occasional steep inclines.

Brown Willy is primarily composed of granite, formed from the cooling of magma beneath the Earth's surface. This ancient rock contributes to its rugged charm and supports a unique ecosystem.

Views & Scenery

Panoramic views of the surrounding Bodmin Moor, and on a clear day, you can spot the coast and even glimpse the ruins of Tintagel Castle in the distance.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Brown Willy' is believed to stem from the Cornish words 'bronn' (hill) and 'gwylly' (spot), referring to the location of the summit.

Historical Significance

Brown Willy is steeped in local folklore and is an iconic part of the Bodmin Moor landscape, often featured in tales of mythical creatures and Cornish legends.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Parking is available at the Minions car park, which is free. This is the perfect jump-off point for your adventure.

Public Transport

The nearest bus service runs to Minions from Liskeard, with regular services; check local timetables for the latest information.

Nearby Facilities

Cafes and toilets are available in the village of Minions, ideal for refreshments before or after your trek.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Be cautious of sudden weather changes common to moorland. Areas can be boggy, especially after rainfall. Stick to marked paths to avoid getting lost among the heather!

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Brown Willy?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Brown Willy through the maps

Are there other walkers around Brown Willy?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Brown Willy search or of course create your own walk for Brown Willy

Can I organise a walk to Brown Willy?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Brown Willy.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Brown Willy?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Brown Willy here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: SX158799

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

Brent Tor

Brent Tor

334m

 High Willhays

High Willhays

622m

Rhossili Down - The Beacon

193m

 Dunkery Beacon

Dunkery Beacon

520m

Pen y Fan

142m
See 5 more nearby hills