Forest bathing at Golitha Falls

Golitha Falls is an 18 hectare National Nature Reserve on the River Fowey west of St Cleer, looked after by Natural England. It is a long gorge lined with ancient oak and mixed ash woodland, with old hazel coppice where dormice live. The damp, clean air makes it one of Cornwall's richest valleys for mosses and lichens, with more than 120 bryophyte species, and in spring there are bluebells and wood anemones.

From the car park opposite the entrance, a flat path of about 600m leads to the falls viewing area, with benches early on, so it is an easy place to sit by moving water. Other paths are steeper and rougher. After heavy winter rain the river swells and the falls get much more powerful, so take care near the edge. Mobile signal can be patchy.