Tag Archives: circularwalk

A circular walk from St Keverne to Porthallow, returning along the coast path to Porthoustock and back to St Keverne through the Trenoweth Valley.

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The village of St Keverne houses one of the largest parish churches in Cornwall, built in the 15th century. The bronze statues on the roadside as you enter the village commemorate St Keverne’s link to the rebellious march to London lead by the village blacksmith, Michael Joseph An Gof, in May 1497.

This walk begins by leaving St Keverne Square on the Porthallow road, after a few meters turn right down Well Lane. As you cross the small stream if you look to your right the moss covered stones of the old foot bridge can be seen. Cross the lane, go over the stile and turn right. Follow this lane along the valley before heading up hill across a few fields and joining a road that you cross, diagonally right. Walk across a few more fields and the sea and Falmouth Bay come into view as you head towards Porthallow. Follow a lane down, through the hamlet of Tregaminion, that eventually leads to a small field before joining another old lane that leads you to Porthallow. When you reach the road join it and head downhill to Porthallow.

At Porthallow dog friendly beach, the footpath heads steeply up the cliff on your right through the trees. When the path reaches the top of the cliff there are superb views across Falmouth Bay and beyond along the south coast of Cornwall. After a short distance climb a wooden stile, immediately on the left the new stretch of coast path opens up before you and heads down hill. As you near sea level and the path levels out continue in front of the Cornish sea salt company here the century old tradition of harvesting salt from the sea continues.

You soon reach the dog friendly shingle cove of Porthkerris, where Porthkerris divers offer the opportunity to enjoy the sea from a different angle, and offers a seasonal beach cafe. The path continues across the beach and climbs the cliff beyond, continuing around Pencra Head to the village of Porthoustock with it’s jetty and quarry.

With the sea behind you, head inland. On leaving the beach, the capstain from the wreck of “The Bay of Panama” is passed, continue right up the hill for a short distance. The footpath turns off left and runs in front of a row of cottages, that become a row of thatched cottages. Follow the path slightly up hill, past a few houses at Trenoweth Mill where you join the road for a few meters before a lane on the right leads you to Trenoweth Valley. The beech lined path, beside the stream is both tranquil and beautiful, filled with moss covered stones and ferns. Continue up hill and across a few fields to St Keverne Church, where you walk through the Church yard and back to the village square.

The Practicalities

Approximately 4.5 miles.

St Keverne, Porthallow and Porthoustock all have honesty box car parking making it easy to start the walk from any of those locations.

Porthallow has public toilets situated on the beach.

On joining the road at Porthallow there is the option to take a short detour to Fat Apples Cafe.

Porthkerris has a seasonal beach cafe.

Porthoustock – The beach box is situated on the beach. There are public toilets behind the old lifeboat house, now the village hall.

St Keverne has two pubs The Three Tuns and The White Hart, also a village shop and butchers with delicatessen. There are also public toilets in St Keverne.

A circular walk from Porthallow to Carne, following the river estuary through Gillan, returning on the coast path to Porthallow.

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One of the many reasons this walk is so special is that the footpath guides you through a range of habitats and landscapes. Initially through a wooded valley, then crossing fields to Carne where you walk beside the river until it meets the sea, and then follow the coast back to Porthallow. There are also a few secluded beaches only reached on foot.

Situated at the top of Porthallow beach is the mid point marker for the Southwest Coast Path. This stone structure stands tall and displays engraved metal plates, on one side capturing the flora and fauna of the Lizard Peninsula, on the other side the ‘Fading Voices‘ of Pralla, the local name for Porthallow. The ‘Fading Voices‘ creates a written record of Cornish dialect, this was and is spoken language, often written by people from outside the area so the spellings are up for debate!

The walk starts heading inland, head up the beach and join the road heading right past the phone box, continue straight ahead past old cottages on your right. Follow the road around to the left for a short distance, before heading up hill take the lane on your right, walking between a terraced row of houses and their gardens on the opposite side of the path. Walk along this valley, initially wooded, across a field before a passing through a wooded area that leads to a wooden bridge and joins a lane heading up hill.

The hamlet of Treglossick comes into view, referred to locally as Ludjack, one of the words engraved on the mid point marker on Porthallow beach. Join the road and turn left, at the T junction turn left, just before a road joins from the left is a footpath on your right up a hedge that crosses several fields. Join a lane, turning left at the top as you reach the ancient hamlet of Trewothack. The footpath weaves around Trewothack, between two large farm sheds before joining a lane that leads you to more fields.

As you cross these fields and head down hill, in the distance on your left you can see the church tower of Manaccan nestled in the trees. On your right you get glimpses of Falmouth Bay in the distance. Join the road for a short distance heading downhill, taking the footpath on your right before the small bridge over the river as you enter Carne. Immediately the path takes you through the sweeping boughs of a magnificent horse chestnut tree. With boughs sweeping out over the river reflected on to the water this is a uniquely beautiful.

This path weaves it’s way along the wooded banks of Gillan estuary, eventually across the small sandy beach of Flushing before reaching Gillan’s sandy shores. Along the way are seats with stunning views and a remote feel. As you leave Flushing the path continues to follow the estuary, looking across to the opposite bank you can see the creek side church of St Anthony. At Gillan the small low headland called The Herra offers natural shelter, seating and a small shingle beach on the far side with views across to Falmouth. Return from The Herra and follow the path alongside a large garden, alongside the estuary eventually reaching Trewarnnevas cliffs that lead on to Nare Point Coastal Lookout Station.

As you continue past Nare Head you notice a change in habitat to a coastal environment, follow the path above the sea to Porthallow.

The practicalities

Approximately 6.5 miles

Porthallow has honesty box car parking on the beach (cash or card), public toilets are on the beach.

Fat Apples is a short 300 meter walk up from the beach in Porthallow, with the sea behind you walk up the road on your left.

The New Inn, Manaccan could be a detour from Carne, rather than joining the footpath, continue along the road. Pass a road turn off to the left, after layby parking on your left there is a footpath on your right up through a wooded valley to Manaccan. On reaching the made up lane turn left, left again when you join the road. With the church on your right take the road left. Below a road off to the right is the The New Inn.

A circular walk from Coverack to Black Head

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We began our walk from the pretty fishing village of Coverack, meandering along the sea front and up the hill, past the Church. As the road levels out and the pavement starts, cross the road and walk up the little lane at the left hand end of the grass bank. This lane is known locally as “The Gardens”, and has been used by generations of village children as a short cut to the village school at the top of hill.

Pass steps on your right, then take the right hand fork of the lane that joins the road opposite the old Wesleyan Chapel. Follow the road down hill and take the lane on the right, below the chapel that leads you in front of a row of old coastguard cottages. Stay on this lane to the top, up some steps and diagonally across a field. Spare a thought for coastguards of days gone by who did this route on foot and often in the dark! They were assisted by whitewashing stones at intervals along the path.

On joining the road, turn left in front of an old thatched farmhouse and modern bungalow. Follow the bungalow hedge, blue with flamboyant agapanthus flowers in summer. Take the path on the right, that weaves around. If you look closely you may see an old hand pump in the hedge on the right, stepping stones make it easier to cross the stream. Take the footpath immediately right over the wooden stile, head diagonally right across this field. Join the concrete road and turn right to the hamlet of Trewills, a huddle of old properties with some lovely colourful gardens. A short way past Trewillis there is a stile over the hedge on your left (you could continue on the road and take the next left). Take the footpath diagonally right across the field to the hamlet of Trelever, on joining the road turn left. Follow the road around to the right, this becomes a lane and eventually a footpath with sea views across to Lizard point, distinctive with Lizard lighthouse topping the headland.

Follow the coast path around to the left, as you emerge onto the headland if you look right you can see the sandy beaches of Kennack and Lankidden.

Ponies graze the headland to keep the foliage under control, allowing a host of wild flowers to flourish, different coloured flowers dominate depending on the season. Tiny delicate blue squill and bluebells in spring, shades of pink and purple heathers in summer to name but a few.

On the distant headland Black Head hut comes into view, when you are some way off. During the Napoleonic Wars a Naval Signal House was situated there, there is no evidence of the building’s stone walls. When WW1 coastal patrols were increasing there was no shelter on Black Head, in 1915 a purpose built Watch Hut was erected. For generations the Black Head has been used as a look out for shoals of pilchards, several spend there time carving their names and initials into the rocks. If you look closely several can still be found, dated from the 1870’s.

Once you pass Black Head you see views across Chynall’s Point, Lowland Point, Falmouth Bay and beyond. Continue along this path that runs along the cliff edge, before veering inland slightly beside the sculpture park and returning to the stepping stones across the stream used earlier in the walk. On joining the road turn right, walking downhill towards the old Headland Hotel, now apartments, take the path on the left before reaching them. Take the steps down and turn left towards Coverack, on this approach to Coverack you get good view of the Watch House perched on the cliff edge before The Paris. Strategically placed there in the late 18th century to house the local excise men to combat the smugglers. It was taken over in the 1820s by the Coastguard Service.

On joining the made up lane turn right in front of the coastguard cottages and walk down into the village, along the sea front to your starting point.

The practicalities:

Approximately 4.5 miles

Coverack has honesty box car parking – card or cash, public toilets are situated in the top car park. There are more public toilets by the harbour.

There are several lovely places to eat, including the Bay Hotel (dog friendly, set off the road above the beach with spectacular views) and The Loft, near the harbour.

The gift shops in the village sell many locally produced items and goods – The Old Mill Shop and The Seine Loft.

A circular walk from Carne, passing through Helford with spectacular views from the recently extended footpath around Little Dennis Head.

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Situated on the Lizard Peninsula this walk takes you along the banks of Gillan Creek and the Helford River. Much of the footpath is through woodlands that hug the river edge, providing shade and shelter.

We started near the head of Gillan Creek at Carne. For many years a pair of swans has nested here and keep a careful watch of the comings and goings of the estuary life, please don’t let your dogs disturb them. We’ve noticed recently that we’ve been watched from above from a rooftop peacock, their distinctive cry can be heard periodically.

A bonus of this walk is it feels magically different depending on the tide, hightide allows mirror image reflections to grace the river surface. Low tide reveals mud flats, a feeding ground for a host of wading birds.

We started walking along the quiet road, that feels better able to manage foot steps than tyres! After a footpath joins the road from the right there are generally a few boats moored. Not long after this you can join the footpath on your right that nestles between the road and the river through flower filled woodlands. In spring beautiful bluebells, primroses and wild garlic bloom and in summer fabulous foxgloves, honeysuckles and pink champion to name but a few that brighten the footpath.

The path re-joins the road for a short distance as you approach St Anthony-in-Meneage with it’s beautiful river side church. You can walk through the church grounds and re-join the road, or continue up the road before taking the lane on the right that runs behind a large house.

If you continue through the gate and across the field you miss the newer coast hugging path around Little Dennis Head, if time allows it’s well worth taking the path to the right of the gate that reveals breath taking views. The views are initially of picturesque estuary hamlets on the opposite bank – Gillan and Flushing. You then cross Little Dennis for panoramic views across Falmouth Bay, where the white walls of St Anthony Head lighthouse are visible on the distant Roseland Peninsula.

The next stretch of path to Helford takes you alongside a few remote and sandy coves that line the Helford River, that may tempt you for a swim or paddle. Helford is entered passing the old chapel, now Holy Mackerel Cafe, that’s well worth a visit. Walk through the village, pass the Shipwrights Arms and follow the road up hill. After a short distance on the right the footpath drops down to the quiet Penarvon Cove. Turning your back on the shores, head up the road with the option to take the lane on your right with a new field footpath that re-joins the same road. At the top head right and follow the lane around to discover pretty views of the Helford River and it’s wooded shores. As you walk down hill, take the path signed on the left to Frenchman’s Creek. This quiet estuary allows you to immerse yourself in the natural landscape as white egrets, swans and herons scan the shore for their next meal.

Near the head of the estuary you can follow the lane uphill, although continuing a little further along you can join a much older stone lined lane full of ferns and moss. Join the lane and head uphill. On reaching the road, cross and pass through the ancient farmstead of Kestle Barton, continue down hill alongside a field, turn left after the field ends and follow the path through woodland. Cross a small stream and head up hill, joining an old lane that crosses a field before crossing the road and entering the village of Manaccan.

On joining the road turn right and down hill past the school. Head left through the church yard, passing the church with it’s distinctive fig tree growing from the church walls. Leave the church yard continuing straight ahead along the lane, just before the Institute turn right down hill through the wooded valley back to Carne.

The practicalities:

Approximately 7 miles

Helford village has a village shop, dog friendly pub (Shipwrights Arms), dog friendly cafe (Holy Mackerel) and public toilets in the car park that would make an alternative starting point for this circular walk. Please check business websites and facebook pages for opening times, not all are open all year around.

Kestle Barton offers seasonal gallery and garden open to the public.

Manaccan has a dog friendly pub, The New Inn.

This walk commenced from Carne, alternatively you could commence from Helford using the large pay and display carpark there.

A circular walk from Tregarne along the new coast path between Porthallow and Porthoustock

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We are very lucky to be in an area of outstanding natural beauty, with recently improved public access to many areas of the coast. This has been achieved by opening several new footpaths closer to the coast, allowing us to enjoy more wildlife habitats and get new views of the dramatic countryside and coast.

These new paths also provide greater options for circular walks, in addition to the more conventional South West Coast Path.

In 2025, a new stretch of coast path was opened between Porthallow and Porthoustock.

From Tregarne, either walk the quiet road or head across the footpath to Porthallow, and join the South West Coast Path as it climbs steeply out of Porthallow on the right side of the beach as you are looking out to sea.

As you reach the top of the hill, you get sweeping views across Falmouth Bay. Now you have the option to turn left after a wooden stile and walk above the sea to Porthkerris, passing in front of The Sea Salt factory. Here, salt production is still inspired by the original methods of harvesting the goodness of the sea.  The factory is not open to the public but their products can be purchased online.

Goats sometimes accompany you along this stretch of path! The next cove you come to is Porthkerris, here there is a dive centre and beach cafe. You cross the shingle beach; the footpath climbs the cliff at the far side providing spectacular sea views all the way to the pretty cove of Porthoustock.

With the sea behind you head to the road and follow it right for a short distance. Take the footpath in front of the old terrace of houses, enjoy their flora gardens and quaint thatched roofed cottages.

After you reach the quiet road that runs through Trenoweth Mill, you follow the path beside the stream up the tranquil shaded valley, lined with beech trees and moss.

As you follow the path across fields, you will notice the spire of St Keverne Church. The graveyard includes mass graves for many shipwrecks, including The Mohegan. Keep to the right as you pass through St Keverne square, the footpath takes the lane on the right down hill pass the village hall. As you cross the stream you can see the much older stone bridge, covered in moss on the right. Follow the path up hill and cross a few fields, from here there are spectacular countryside views and distant views of Falmouth Bay.

Depending on where you join the road, either follow it a short distance to the right, or cross it and follow the quiet road signposted to Tregarne. The road crosses the stream at Tregarne Mill, pass the house and take the lane that runs behind the house on the right. From here you cross fields for the final climb up to Tregarne. It’s worth resting and looking behind you for distant views of St Keverne.

The practicalities!
This circular walk could commence at Porthallow, Porthoustock or St Keverne, all these villages have honesty box car parking (cash only in St Keverne and Porthoustock) and public toilets.

There are places to eat in St Keverne (two dog friendly pubs). Seasonally opening eateries that are dog friendly – Porthallow (Fat Apples cafe 5 minutes walk up the road past the Cellar Marine), Porthkerris Beach Cafe, Porthoustock has a food van on the beach.

Porthallow, Porthkerris and Porthoustock beaches are all dog friendly shingle beaches.

The walk is approximately 5.5 miles