A WOODLAND trail with a difference opened to the public last week, launching nine days of activities in and around the Tamar Valley of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Tamar Valley Barefoot Trail is an interactive exhibit on part of the new Tamar Trails network at Gulworthy.

People are invited to shed their shoes and socks to experience the textures of the Tamar Valley in a whole new way!  

Trail walkers can connect with nature by feeling it between their toes and on their soles, through this temporary installation near Bedford Sawmills Picnic Area .

The Barefoot Trail is not only an excuse to kick shoes off and have some fun, but an attempt to reveal the heritage, flora and fauna of the Valley through a 'feet on' activity.   

Artist Chrissy Wallis, from the nearby village of Calstock, was commissioned to create a 'sensational' trail, drawing inspiration from the Tamar Valley's industrial and natural history.  

Chrissy said: 'The unique topography of the valley gave rise to the ideas for the many surfaces.  

'Mining, quarrying, market gardening, fishing, cider making, forestry, farming, brick making, and boat building are all ingredients chosen for their textural qualities and their link to the history of the Tamar Valley.  

'I did not know, until last week, that Salmon used to be wrapped in Sycamore and fern leaves, or that rushes and reeds were used as floor covering on top of cold slate slabs and that limestone from Moorcroft Quarry at Plymstock — where my mother worked as a secretary until 1957 — was brought in barges to Calstock for burning in the lime kilns we can still see today!

'I hope people will enjoy dipping their toes into the many textures, smelling the sweet apple pulp from the community apple pressing day at Stoke Climsland or the fresh forest pine needles of the Douglas fir —adding another dimension for the senses.'

Fran Walker, interpretation officer for the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has overseen the project:  'Let your feet have a sensory party!  Feel cool river mud between your toes, the texture of reeds under your feet, the hardness of granite on your soles, the softness of lambs' wool, the crunch of autumn leaves, roughness of tree bark, and the smell of crushed grass.'

Walking bare foot is also supposed to have health benefits. A Bavarian priest, Sebastian Kneipp, developed the concept of the barefoot trails in the mid-1800s.  

He encouraged his parishioners to wade through water and walk barefoot on wet grass as a health-promoting, life-enhancing activity. He believed this boosted the cardiovascular system, regulated blood pressure and strengthened immunity.

The Barefoot Trail is located close to the start of the new Tamar Trail network.

From these woodland paths, walkers can see wonderful views of the Cornwall and the Devon Great Consols 'moonscape', once the biggest copper mine in Europe.  Many of the paths are also suitable for mountain biking and riding.  

Full programme of events and trail downloads are available from http://www.tamarvalley.org.uk    For">www.tamarvalley.org.uk    For more information, call Tamar Valley AONB office on 01822 835030.