Reporter Liam Davies gets into thrill seeking mode to test out the Tree Surfers experience — just one of the activities on offer at this gem in the heart of the Tamar Valley.

I WAS recently lucky enough to attend the Tamar Trails Centre and experience a delicious and exciting flavour of everything the place had to offer.

As I pulled up in my battered Astra (wearing the scars of its many battles with the classic, inclement Dartmoor weather), I was overwhelmed by the number of vehicles in the car park, which automatically confirmed that this is indeed a popular spot. Heading over to reception I met and shook hands with jovial manager Poppy Field, who ably took care of my possessions and furnished me with the relevant information forms and disclaimers/waivers. Understandably, these sported the usual warnings you’d expect when taking part in high ropes activities. Was I ready to take on this course? Absolutely! No problem; thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies unite.

After informative safety briefings and tutorials from staff members Hal and Tom, we trudged over to the first section of the course. It was half term week, so our group naturally consisted of families and teenagers. I tagged along at the very back and tried to blend into the background. I didn’t feel too phased by the imminent venture — I’d completed highropes courses and cruised down zipwires before. Easy peasy right? Haha, no. Think again Liam.

The course started off relatively easily, with obstacles like wooden planks, swinging steps and moving rope bridges to clamber your way through and over. Straightfoward enough. Your prize for surmounting those? A zipwire to fly down. Okay, onto the next section.

Section two was situated further down one of the trails, so off I eagerly ambled through the woodland, admiring the surroundings. The Tamar Valley truly lives up to its reputation as an area of outstanding natural beauty. Picturesque and idyllic woodland all around, the River Tamar gushing and trickling steadily away southwards at the bottom of the hills. Couples cycled past me on bikes, runners zoomed past me on their way up and down the trails, families were walking all around and a heartwarming number of dogs were darting about, evidently having a lot of fun.

To start section two you had to ascend one ladder and then another. By the time I’d reached the second ladder, which was a lot smaller in width (and thus more difficult to climb) I was already at a vertigo-inducing height. Devoid of any dexterity, after grappling and flailing around, I reached the top and progressed. It seemed the course was becoming higher, the obstacles gradually more diffcult and the fun increasing (depending on your point of view). This time there were harder paths to cross, seemingly more teacherous and complex to navigate. Wires hanging, obstacles to dodge, paths zigzagging and crossing, ropes looser — all determined to throw you off balance. Sooner or later you’ll make it and there’s a thrilling jumpswing into a climbing net and a zipwire to finish here.

Then, last but certainly by no means least, it was time for the final section which I scurried up the hill to start, ready for even more thrills and chills. This time I estimated we were roughly 25 metres high (granted, that may be slightly exaggerated but by this point my terror was booming). The first two paths here were by no means easy to conquer. The group of teenage boys in front of me (who had to be at least ten years my junior) had breezed through them, really showing me up. Surely it should be the other way around? The irony palpable, I fought on regardless (and shamefully) unknowingly about to face my nemisis.

The course apparently stopped here, it didn’t progress. No path to follow. Where did we go? The young lad in front of me answered when he attached an overhead wire to his harness, stepped forward off the platform and immediately dropped out of sight, down to the next platform (extremely far) below. What? What was this? Nononononono. Sheer drops like this were not my thing. How on earth was I expected to just step off a platform situated at tree-top (virtually sky) level into nothing, devoid of fear? We were dangerously high up here, I mean from this point I could see for miles around the Tamar Valley in front of me, saturated in autumn browns and golden to blood oranges against the backdrop of extensive lush green. My turn next and I was last in the group. Tentatively reaching for the wire and clipping it on to my harness, now beset by the inevitable direction I was required to take, my heart began thumping exponentially. I couldn’t just step off a platform and fall, that’s crazy. I’d never done leaps of faith at other holiday or activity parks — yeah, not my thing. The young lads below me had already continued and were rapidly progressing and there I sat, obstinately refusing to do what the course demanded of me. What I’d give to be young and fearless again! Turning back was out of the question. Eventually, a staff member worked his way up to me with some encouraging words. Immune to reverse psychology tactics, this unfortunately did nothing but I appreciated his enthusiasm nonetheless. The people below me spectating started to join in with the encouragement then too. Great! There I was trying to avoid notice and now everyone was staring and shouting up at me. I suppose that’s what you get for just assuming you’re really tough but the reality then turns out to be quite different. By this point I was just wasting time and the people in the group down below were close to finishing. A little coaxing and cajoling from the instructor later, I finally found my spine and shuffled off the edge, eyes closed, breath held and hands wrapped so tightly around the wire my knuckles turned a previously undiscovered shade of white.

The wire almost groaned in protest but gently, down and down and down I steadily descended, onto the platform awaiting below. Oh my gosh, I did it. Crisis averted. I quickly hurried my way round the remainder of the course, thoroughly enjoying the huge rope swing, which certainly got my spirits back on track. More wires and beams to cross then one last zip wire to finish and it was all over. What an experience!

Afterwards, when the minor tremor in my hands had abated and some colour had flushed back into my cheeks, I sat down for a chat with manager Poppy, who was happy to fill me in with plenty of details about the centre and the trails.

The Tamar Trails centre is open for activities during school holidays (excluding Christmas holidays) from 10am to 4pm, which include the Tree Surfers course, kids’ activities, archery and canoeing. The trails are open all year round, all day, for walking, running and biking.

The trails form an extensive, inerlinking network of more than 25km and are free to use all year round. They consist of:

The Mineral Railway Trail: 3km. Coniferous woodland and parts of the old mineral railway that once linked Devon Great Consols Mine with Morwellham.

The Wheal Maria Trail: 3.5km. Mixed woodland with spectacular views of the Tamar Valley and its mining heritage.

The Wheal Josiah Trail: 1.5km. A variety of mining landscapes.

The Bedford United Trail: 2km. Breathtaking views over the Tamar with many interesting 18th and 19th century mine workings.

The Chimney Rock Trail: 5km. Beech, oak and conifer woodland with sweeping views from steep sides of the valley.

The Sheepridge Trail: 2.5km

The Canal Tunnel Link: 1.25km

The Tree Surfers activity consists of two different courses. The main course is for ages 12+ and is open for families, friends, teams and groups. The junior course is designed for ages 4-12, perfect for parties and groups.

The woodland archery is a great place to unleash your inner Katniss Everdeen. Ideal for everyone!

Canoeing runs from Cotehele Quay and is a great way to explore the meandering River Tamar with its historic architecture, stunning views and surroundings teeming with a variety of wildlife.

Walkers can take on the trails and enjoy the idyllic scenery they have to offer — suitable for anyone!

Bikers of all abilities can enjoy the different trails.

Runners are in for a treat as, not only can they enjoy the trails, there’s a weekly parkrun held every Saturday morning at 9am. In addition to a specialist shop, there are club runs and outdoor fitness sessions which are suitable for those of any and all abilities.

Furthermore, there’s a lovely cafe (the Beech cafe) which offers a tempting array of barrista coffees, homemade cakes, sumptuous lunches and afternoon teas.

‘People come here for great fun,’ Poppy said. ‘I love this job because it’s lovely to see people so happy. We’re a centre open to everyone. We’ve had families, friends, couples, corporate groups, team-building groups, stag and hen parties come here and everyone has a great time.’

Lockdowns of the last 18 months have not been easy but the centre was determined to find a way to proceed. They were able to operate by following the guidlelines on outdoor activities, social distancing and bubbles when restrictions were tough. The centre and the trails are always thriving with activity, and Poppy agreed that ’people are making the most of opportunities the centre provides and definitely making up for lost time.’

For further information visit www.tamartrails.co.uk, phone 01822 833409 or email [email protected]