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Botallack Arsenic Labyrinths

Botallack Arsenic Labyrinths

Highlight • Monument

Botallack Arsenic Labyrinths

Recommended by 29 hikers out of 30

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Cornwall National Landscape

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Location: St. Just, South West England, England, United Kingdom

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Best Hikes to Botallack Arsenic Labyrinths

4.6

(27)

171

hikers

1. Botallack Mines – View of Cape Cornwall loop from Porthmeor

23.8km

06:38

460m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Hard

4.7

(26)

173

hikers

2. Botallack Mines – View of Portheras Cove loop from St Just

22.1km

06:12

440m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Hard

4.9

(18)

104

hikers

3. View of Cape Cornwall – Cape Cornwall Chimney Monument loop from St Just

17.1km

04:53

400m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Tips

Anja 🥾🌲 🚵🏼‍♀️

May 29, 2024

The mine buildings on Botallack Cliffs are protected by the National Trust. Opposite the Botallack Mine counting house are two arsenic works. Also at the top of the cliffs are the remains of one of the mine's arsenic refining works.
Arsenic compounds were an undesirable contaminant in the tin ore, which interfered with the smelting process. The solution was to heat the ore to drive off the arsenic in the form of fumes. In the early days of mining this caused severe pollution of the surrounding countryside. However, the arsenic itself proved to be a saleable by-product, so the arsenic-containing fumes were piped through a maze of adits where they condensed on the tunnel walls. The maze of adits has partially collapsed. Halfway through the maze the tunnel passes over an arch to cross one of the entrances to the mine. At the end of the maze the remaining fumes rose up the tall chimney.

Translated by Google •

Andy

October 9, 2024

An interesting insight into Cornwall’s industrial past

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Details

Informations

Elevation 90 m

Weather

Today

Tuesday 9 December

14°C

11°C

98 %

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Max wind speed: 56.0 km/h

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Location: St. Just, South West England, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Botallack Mines

West Wheal Owles Pumping House

Geevor Tin Mine

Portheras Cove

Porth Nanven Beach

Land's End to Mill Bay Coastal Cliffs

Escalls Cliff Coastal Path

RMS Mülheim Shipwreck

Botallack Mine Ruins

Boswedden Mine Ruins

Armed Knight Rock

View of Land's End

Botallack Arsenic Labyrinths

1. Botallack Mines – View of Cape Cornwall loop from Porthmeor

2. Botallack Mines – View of Portheras Cove loop from St Just

3. View of Cape Cornwall – Cape Cornwall Chimney Monument loop from St Just

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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