SW6840 : The View from Carn Brea
Moderate; rocky paths and road crossings

Carn Brea

228m Elevation
47m Prominence
England Country
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SW6840 : The View from Carn Brea

Tony Atkin Photo source

Overview

Carn Brea

Carn Brea is the 228 m granite hill above Redruth in Cornwall, with 47 m of prominence and Tump classification. This is the Redruth hill, not Chapel Carn Brea in west Penwith. Hill Bagging

Summit, geology and history

The natural summit is a rock tor about 15 m southwest of the Basset Monument, at SW 68334 40720. The castle and memorial are separate landmarks. The exact rock top requires care, especially when wet; visiting the hill’s paths and viewpoints does not require climbing it.

BGS identifies Carn Brea as a granite satellite of the Carnmenellis intrusion. Nearby mineral lodes underpin the area’s mining history. BGS geological memoir

The scheduled remains include Neolithic enclosures, Iron Age defences, a medieval castle remodelled as a folly, and mining workings. The former fogou and “King’s Men” claims are not supported for this site and are omitted. Historic England

A complete return walk

The Redruth station, Carn Brea, Carn Marth and Gwennap Pit circular starts and ends at Redruth railway station. The published circuit links the castle and monument with mining tracks, Carn Marth’s quarry amphitheatre and trig point, then descends to Gwennap Pit before returning through farmland to Redruth. The publisher gives 8 miles, approximately 12.9 km, and a half day. No measured ascent or scalar walking time is supplied here. Use the linked route map; optional diversions and a climb onto the summit tor are not added to its totals. Full route

Access and planning

Carn Brea Parish Council records the hill’s common-land registration and public access on foot. Follow current notices and protect the archaeology. Remain outside mine workings and buildings; rocky paths can be slippery, and the longer circuit crosses main roads. Parish council access information

Arrive by train at Redruth, or check the station’s parking arrangements. Obtain provisions in town and do not assume there are hilltop toilets or drinking water. The exposed ridge offers views over Redruth and mining country towards the coast. National Rail

Information checked on 18 October 2026. The route page was last updated in March 2024 and contains older planning dates; check conditions and transport before travelling.

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Loe Pool: the full circuit from Helston

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Route planning notes

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

Redruth station, Carn Brea, Carn Marth and Gwennap Pit circular

Start and finish at Redruth railway station (SW700420). Follow the linked 10 Mile Hike itinerary out of Redruth to Carn Brea Castle and the Basset Monument, then take the old mining paths towards Carn Marth, its quarry amphitheatre and trig point. Descend on lanes to Gwennap Pit and return across fields and farmland to Redruth station. This is the publisher’s complete 8-mile circuit, approximately 12.9 km, using footpaths, rocky tracks and lanes with B3300 and A393 crossings. Allow a half day; no ascent total is established. The exact tor top is separate from the surrounding walking circuit and is not required for this walk. Use the publisher’s linked map for navigation; detours or a different start change the totals. Source: https://www.10milehike.com/carn-brea/

12.9 km Moderate; rocky paths and road crossings
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

200-299m hill

Elevation

228m

748 ft

Prominence

47m

Coordinates

50.2209, -5.2491

SW683407

OS Map

203

Explorer: 104

At the Summit

The 228 m natural high point is the rock tor about 15 m southwest of the Basset Monument, at SW 68334 40720. A tor farther southwest is lower. Carn Brea Castle and the monument are nearby landmarks, rather than the natural summit.

Terrain & Geology

Rocky footpaths and tracks open grass and heath with country lanes and road crossings on the longer Redruth circuit. The natural summit is a rock tor requiring more care than the surrounding walking paths.

Carn Brea is a granite outcrop forming a satellite intrusion of the Carnmenellis granite. The British Geological Survey describes coarse granite here and the surrounding tin-and-copper mineralisation; its exposed tors are distinctive features of the hill. The former late-Devonian granite age is not supported by that account.

Views & Scenery

Open views over Redruth and the surrounding Cornish mining landscape towards the north coast, subject to visibility.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The Cornish place-name elements are karn, meaning crag, tor or cairn, and bre, meaning hill. Akademi Kernewek records the hill as Karn Bre.

Historical Significance

Carn Brea contains a Neolithic hilltop enclosure, later Iron Age defences and settlement remains, a medieval castle subsequently remodelled as a folly, and extensive mining remains. Historic England lists the wider archaeological site as scheduled monument 1006704.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

For the described full circular walk, use lawful parking in Redruth; National Rail lists parking at Redruth station, the start and finish. Check charges, availability and signs. This is a route-start option, not a claim that it is the closest parking to the hill.

Public Transport

Redruth railway station is the start and finish of the described circular walk. Check National Rail for current services and disruption; no bus connection to the hill is required for this itinerary.

Nearby Facilities

Use Redruth for provisions before the walk and refreshments afterwards. Carn Brea Castle operates separately as a restaurant; check its opening and booking arrangements. Do not rely on public toilets or water being available on the hill.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Wet granite can be slippery; climbing the summit tor is a separate challenge from walking to the monument.
  • Keep to established paths around old mine and quarry workings; do not enter shafts, buildings or flooded quarries.
  • The Redruth circuit crosses the B3300 and A393 and includes narrow lanes.
  • The exposed hill can be windy; carry a map and allow daylight for the full return.

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 Carn Brea?

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

Are there other walkers around Carn Brea?

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 Carn Brea search or of course create your own walk for Carn Brea

Can I organise a walk to Carn Brea?

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 Carn Brea.

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 Carn Brea?

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 Carn Brea 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

Carn Brea location map

Grid reference: SW683407

View on OpenStreetMap

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

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