Top 9 Lakes around St. Cleer

The St. Cleer area offers a diverse range of water features, including scenic reservoirs like Siblyback Lake and Colliford Lake, natural quarries such as Goldiggins Quarry, and the dramatic cascades of Golitha Falls National Nature Reserve on the River Fowey. Each provides unique natural beauty and recreational opportunities.

Yes, Siblyback Lake is particularly family-friendly, offering a wide range of activities. It features a children's play area, watersports like kayaking and paddleboarding, and a 5km circular path suitable for pushchairs. Colliford Lake also provides plentiful picnic spots for a relaxed family outing.

Around Siblyback Lake, you'll find the Sibleyback Reservoir Circular Trail, a 5 km (3 mile) traffic-free gravel track. This trail is designed for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchairs, and pushchairs, passing over the impressive Siblyback Dam and through woodlands. For more hiking options, explore the easy hikes around St. Cleer.

Watersports are a major attraction at Siblyback Lake, where you can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and sailing. Equipment is available for hire, or you can self-launch. In contrast, watersports are not permitted at Colliford Lake, ensuring a peaceful environment for visitors.

For wild swimming, Goldiggins Quarry is a popular spot. This deep quarry offers entry from flat stones or, for the more adventurous, jumping from cliffs. Remember to bring your swimming gear and a picnic to make the most of your visit.

Yes, the Sibleyback Reservoir Circular Trail at Siblyback Lake is specifically designed to be accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, featuring a traffic-free gravel track. This makes it an excellent option for visitors with mobility needs.

The area is rich in wildlife. Siblyback Lake is great for bird watching, with a bird hide available. Golitha Falls National Nature Reserve, though not a lake, is particularly important for its diverse flora and fauna, including rare bryophytes, over 120 species of moss, and woodland wildflowers. It's also home to dormice, several bat species, otters, salmon, sea trout, and over 30 species of birds.

Dogs on leads are welcome at Siblyback Lake, which also provides an enclosed dog exercise area. Colliford Lake is also dog-friendly, offering plenty of space for walks. Always ensure your dog is under control, especially around wildlife and livestock.

At Siblyback Lake, you can visit Olive & Co Café, located right on the shore. It offers breakfast, lunch, teas, coffees, and cakes, including vegan and gluten-free options. Golitha Falls National Nature Reserve also has nearby food options.

Golitha Falls National Nature Reserve is a significant water feature due to its spectacular cascades and waterfalls along the River Fowey, set within ancient oak woodland on Bodmin Moor. It's designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), known for its rich biodiversity and dramatic landscape, especially after heavy rainfall. You can explore its trails, including those found in waterfall hikes around St. Cleer.

Yes, both Siblyback Lake and Golitha Falls National Nature Reserve have car parks available for visitors. Colliford Lake also offers parking options, with plentiful picnic spots alongside the lake.

The lakes and natural features around St. Cleer can be enjoyed year-round. Spring and summer offer pleasant weather for watersports and walking, with wildflowers in bloom at places like Golitha Falls. Autumn provides beautiful foliage, and the area's designation as an International Dark Sky Landscape makes it excellent for stargazing on clear nights, particularly at Siblyback Lake.

Yes, the Sibleyback Reservoir Circular Trail is suitable for cyclists, including adaptive cycles. For road cycling enthusiasts, there are various routes in the wider area, such as those detailed in the Road Cycling Routes around St. Cleer guide, which includes routes with views of Colliford Lake.