Desmond's and Carpenter's trail loop
Level: Easy
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Elevation: 150 meters
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Elevation: 150 meters
This loop walk up to Shirley Height and back is my absolute favourite in the English harbour area.
The walk starts, like all the trails to Shirley Height at Galleon beach. Walk, drive or take the shuttle tender there from Nelson's Dockyard.
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Desmond's trail starts on the main road about a 100 meters before the Galleon beach Callabash resort gates. It is clearly sign posted; a nice, well defined trail takes you up to Shirley Heights along one of the ridges. The views over English harbour are good and the climb takes at the most half an hour.
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You will arrive on the grassy bank just below Shirley Height restaurant; after rejoining the main car park area, go down the main road about 200 meters till you pass the small graveyard overlooking the sea. Just beyond that a fairly wide track leads to the right towards the cliffs, to a view point where farmers have left bath tubs to collect water for the goats.
Go close to the edge, where the sharp drop towards the sea starts, look a bit to the right... and you will see the start of the Carpenter's trail meandering down the slope. It is a small trail going down to the sea side, offering a beautiful view of the cliffs between Shirley heights and Indian creek. The ocean breeze blows here, the Atlantic swell can be heard crashing from high above and the view is one of wild untamed beauty. A perfect escape.
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You will soon reach the bottom of the slope, where the trail turns back along the sea side towards Galleon beach. On the way you will pass shimmering rockpools at the bottom of the layered cliffside. There is a choice of trails here, the first and the prettiest option following the sea side , well marked with white paint. The other, larger trail is shorter and cuts inland straight back to Galleon beach.
Follow the shore trail, and you will soon reach fort Charlotte, guarding the Eastern side of the entrance to English Harbour. This is a peaceful spot, where the regatta flag pole is hoisted during races. The track from here back to Galleon beach is very clear; you can also go down onto the shoreside and follow the beach around. In any case you will arrive within the grounds of the Callabash resort, somewhere close to the last villa on the main beach. |
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Walk, drive, cycle, boat or swim back to Nelson Dockyard or Falmouth.
