Men-an-Tol, Nine Maidens and Lanyon Quoit Circular
Cornwall
The moors between Madron and Morvah hold one of the densest clusters of prehistoric monuments in Cornwall, and a dog with good recall can range widely here, since this 6.8km circuit strings the best of them together across open ground with little livestock. It starts beside Lanyon Quoit, a Neolithic chamber tomb and climbs gently across Ding Dong Moor to the chimney and engine house of Ding Dong mine, one of the oldest tin mines in the county. From there it reaches the Bronze Age Nine Maidens stone circle, follows the moor crest, and drops past Men Scryfa, a standing stone carved with a Latin inscription, to Men-an-Tol, the famous holed stone said to bring healing to those who crawl through it. A lane and a short stretch of road lead back to the start. There is only about 80 metres of climbing, on stony tracks and moorland paths that can be wet in winter.
This is a dog friendly walk with plenty of open moorland and no cliff edges. A dog with good recall can have some freedom on the wider tracks, but this is open access land, so dogs must be on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July and whenever livestock is near, and grazing animals can be met on the moor. There is little shade and no reliable water, so carry some. Watch your dog around the old mine workings near Ding Dong. Parking is a small free layby, and there are no facilities on the route.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.8 km (4.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Historic, Moorland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on route. Pubs and cafes in Madron, Morvah and Penzance.
- Parking
- Small free roadside layby beside Lanyon Quoit; a second layby serves the track to Men-an-Tol.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Men-an-Tol, Nine Maidens and Lanyon Quoit Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in CornwallFrequently Asked Questions
Is Men-an-Tol, Nine Maidens and Lanyon Quoit Circular dog friendly?
Yes, this 6.8km moorland circuit is a good choice for dogs, earning a 7/10 dog friendly rating. The route crosses open ground with little livestock and no cliff edges, linking prehistoric monuments including Men-an-Tol, the Nine Maidens stone circle, and Lanyon Quoit across wide, walkable tracks and moorland paths.
Can dogs be off lead at Men-an-Tol, Nine Maidens and Lanyon Quoit Circular?
Dogs with good recall can enjoy some freedom on the wider tracks, but there are important restrictions to keep in mind. As open access land, dogs must be kept on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July, and at any time when grazing animals are nearby — which can happen on the moor.
What should I know before visiting Men-an-Tol, Nine Maidens and Lanyon Quoit Circular with my dog?
Bring water for your dog, as there's no reliable source on the route, and the open moorland offers little shade on warmer days. Take care around the old mine workings near Ding Dong, and be aware that paths can be wet and stony in winter. There are no facilities along the way, though pubs and cafes can be found in Madron, Morvah, and Penzance.
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Roadside layby by Lanyon Quoit, Madron to Morvah road, Madron TR20 8QL
50.1474, -5.5990
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