Kit Hill Country Park and Kelly Bray Circular
Cornwall
Kit Hill rises to 334 metres between Callington and the Tamar valley, its summit crowned by an ornate mine chimney, and the open heath here gives a dog some off-lead freedom before the farmland lower down asks for a lead. The hill was given to the people of Cornwall by the Duchy in 1985 to mark the birth of Prince William, and it is now a country park, where a bonfire is lit each midsummer for the old Cornish Golowan festival. This 8.6km circular walk starts at the summit car park and drops down the flanks of the hill past the remains of Kit Hill's mines, the old incline railway and the quarry, before looping through fields and lanes to the village of Kelly Bray and climbing back to the summit. It is graded moderate, with an estimated 250 metres of climbing, on heathland tracks, field paths and lanes.
This is a dog friendly walk with plenty of open heath on the upper slopes, where a dog with good recall can have some freedom away from the car park. The lower part of the route crosses farmland, where you should expect livestock and keep your dog on a lead. There is only one stile, which most dogs manage. Deer, badgers and rabbits live on the hill, so keep an eye on dogs that chase, and watch for old mine shafts and quarry edges. The hilltop is exposed with little shade, so carry water. The Swingletree Inn is in Kelly Bray, on the route.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.6 km (5.3 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 45 min
- Walk Type
- Heathland, Historic, Peak
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Swingletree Inn in Kelly Bray on the route (dog policy not confirmed); shops and cafes in Callington.
- Parking
- Kit Hill summit car park in the country park; lower car parks on the hill are alternatives.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Kit Hill Country Park and Kelly Bray Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Christopher Cottage - Lanteglos
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £483 / 7 nights
Rose Cottage - Higher Worthyvale Farm
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £377 / 7 nights
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in CornwallFrequently Asked Questions
Is Kit Hill Country Park and Kelly Bray Circular dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The heathland of the country park gives dogs space to roam, and there is only one stile. The score reflects farmland on the lower loop where livestock may graze, old mine shafts and quarry edges on the hill, wildlife that tempts chasers, and a lack of shade and water on the exposed summit.
Can dogs be off lead at Kit Hill Country Park and Kelly Bray Circular?
On the upper slopes, yes, for a dog with reliable recall. The heath around the summit is open country park with plenty of room. Put your dog on a lead on the farmland and lanes around Kelly Bray, where livestock may be grazing, and keep it close near the quarry and old mine workings.
What should I know before visiting Kit Hill Country Park and Kelly Bray Circular with my dog?
The summit is exposed, so bring water for your dog and a layer for yourself. There is one stile, and some lanes on the lower loop. Watch for old mine shafts and the quarry edge on the hill. Parking is at the summit car park in Kit Hill Country Park, and the Swingletree Inn in Kelly Bray is on the route.
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