Tag Archives: walkingincornwall

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 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.