North Cornwall Coast Path

Starting at the sandy beach of Treyarnon Bay on the North Cornwall coast, we walk through Porthcothan and around Park Head to the spectacular Bedruthan Steps where the beach is studded with highly individual rocky stacks. Then on to Mawgan Porth and Watergate Bay, to finish the day at Porth on the eastern outskirts of Newquay. 11 miles (17.5 km), with 2,250 feet (685m) of ascent – mostly fairly easy but the path may be steep and narrow at times.

We cross the River Gannel at Newquay, the choice of route (tidal footbridge, ferry or road detour) depending entirely on the tide. The path winds around the National Trust cliffs of Pentire Point West and Kelsey Head, before dropping to Holywell Bay en route to Penhale and Ligger Points. The last couple of miles into the seaside town of Perranporth are along Perran Sands.

11½ - 14½ miles (18.5 - 23.5km), with up to 1,570 feet (480m) of ascent – a comparatively easy day of headlands and sandy beaches, complicated initially by a tidal inlet.

We leave Perranporth around Cligga Head with spectacular views, aiming for Trevellas Porth and Trevaunance Cove, along a cliff top path with terrain like the surface of the moon at times because of old mine workings – Trevaunance was once a harbour, shipping ore from the mines of nearby St Agnes. After the superb high level route around St Agnes Head, the route passes the restored Towanroath Engine House, part of the old Wheal Coates mine, before dropping into Chapel Porth, a secluded cove managed by the National Trust. After that, it’s along the cliffs (with two sharp steep descents and ascents) to finish the day at the one-time industrial harbour of Portreath.

12 miles (19.5km), with 2,790 feet (850m) of ascent – rugged cliffs often featuring narrow stony paths with some short steep ascents and descents.

Leaving Portreath, the route lies along Caravannel and Reskajeage Downs to the spectacular setting of Hell’s Mouth.  We track around Godrevy Head with views of Godrevy Island and lighthouse (a good place for seal spotting), and the panorama of St Ives Bay. A short coach transfer from the Red River at Gwithian to Lelant Church avoids the built-up areas around the Hayle Estuary. The route back leads past Porth Kidney Sands, over Carrack Gladden and around Carbis Bay.

10½ miles (17km), with 2,150 feet (655m) of ascent – easy cliff and headland walking with a couple of steep sided little valleys.

From St Ives we go around Clodgy Point (“clodgy” is Cornish for leper).  Then it’s undulating cliff walking all the way to the distinctive Gurnard’s Head, passing River Cove (good for seal spotting both in the cove and on the Carracks, two rocky islands a short distance from the shore), Mussel Point and Zennor Head along the way.

 9½ miles (15 ½ km), with 2410 feet (735m) of ascent – rough and remote with short, steep ascents and descents, one of the more difficult stretches.

From Gurnard’s Head, the coast path leads past the Iron Age cliff castle at Bosigran and on to Pendeen Watch lighthouse before re-entering tin mine country. We pass the Levant Mine buildings – now owned by the National Trust and with a restored beam engine (one of only two working beam engines in the county and the sole steam-driven example) – and then Geevor with its arsenic condenser and the spectacular Crown Mines buildings at Botallack low down on the cliff just above the sea.  The whole Geevor site is a Scheduled Monument.  The Kenidjack Valley with more scenes of tin mining dereliction soon follows, before the week finishes at Cape Cornwall, once thought to be the most westerly point in England and the original “Land’s End”.

9 miles (14.5 km), with 1,790 feet (545m) of ascent – rough and remote with short, steep ascents and descents, another of the more difficult stretches.