Top 7 Lakes around St. Pinnock

The lakes around St. Pinnock offer a variety of activities. At Colliford Lake, you can enjoy peaceful lakeside walks and fly fishing with a permit. Siblyback Lake is a hub for watersports like stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and windsurfing, and also features a 3-mile circular trail for walking and cycling. For a unique experience, Goldiggins Quarry is a popular spot for wild swimming and cliff jumping.

Yes, several lakes are suitable for families. Colliford Lake offers plentiful picnic spots and gentle lakeside walks. Siblyback Lake is particularly family-friendly, with a traffic-free circular trail suitable for pushchairs, children's facilities, and a café. The nearby Polperro Harbour, though a settlement, is also considered family-friendly with its picturesque village and smuggling museum.

Wild swimming is a popular activity at Goldiggins Quarry, where you can enter the water from flat stones or jump from the cliffs. At Siblyback Lake, watersports like stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking are available through the Watersports Centre, but general recreational swimming might be restricted as it's a reservoir. Watersports are not permitted at Colliford Lake.

The lakes are excellent for wildlife watching. Colliford Lake, being the largest in Cornwall, is home to various bird species, including goldeneye, golden plover, lapwing, and snipe in winter, and great crested grebes, swifts, and swallows in summer. You might also spot free-roaming ponies. Siblyback Lake also offers good birdwatching opportunities, with a dedicated hide along its circular trail.

Yes, the Sibleyback Reservoir Circular Trail at Siblyback Lake is a 3-mile (5 km) traffic-free gravel track specifically designed to be suitable for pedestrians, cyclists, adaptive cycles, wheelchairs, and pushchairs, offering views of the dam and woodlands.

The best time to visit depends on your interests. For birdwatching, winter at Colliford Lake offers sightings of goldeneye and golden plover, while summer brings great crested grebes and swallows. For watersports at Siblyback Lake and wild swimming at Goldiggins Quarry, warmer months are generally preferred. The circular trails are enjoyable year-round, though conditions may vary seasonally.

Yes, fly fishing is a popular activity at Colliford Lake, particularly for brown trout. Fishing from the banks is permitted with a valid permit. Siblyback Lake also offers fishing opportunities, though specific permit requirements should be checked with the Watersports Centre.

Yes, Siblyback Lake has a café on-site, along with children's facilities and a watersports centre. Colliford Lake offers numerous picnic spots, but no dedicated café or facilities are mentioned.

Colliford Lake is the largest lake in Cornwall, spanning approximately 900 acres. It is situated in the heart of Bodmin Moor, providing stunning views. The area is known for its peaceful environment, abundant wildlife, and free-roaming ponies.

Siblyback Lake is a reservoir set against the backdrop of Bodmin Moor. It holds three billion liters of water and is surrounded by woodlands, offering picturesque views and a habitat for various bird species. The lake also features the impressive Siblyback Dam, built in 1968.

Yes, there are several options. The Sibleyback Reservoir Circular Trail at Siblyback Lake is a popular 3-mile (5 km) route. For more extensive options, you can explore various running trails around St. Pinnock, including easy to moderate routes like the 'Little River Crossing – Deerpark Forest Holidays Hub loop'. You can find more details on these routes in the Running Trails around St. Pinnock guide.

Absolutely! The Sibleyback Reservoir Circular Trail at Siblyback Lake is a traffic-free gravel track suitable for cyclists, including adaptive cycles. For mountain biking enthusiasts, there are trails like the 'Siblyback Reservoir loop' which is an easy route. More challenging MTB and road cycling routes are also available in the wider area, detailed in the MTB Trails around St. Pinnock and Road Cycling Routes around St. Pinnock guides.

Visitors particularly appreciate the diverse experiences offered. Many enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and wildlife at Colliford Lake, especially the scenic views and picnic spots. The active watersports and accessible circular trail at Siblyback Lake are also highly rated. For the adventurous, the unique wild swimming and cliff jumping at Goldiggins Quarry are a major draw.