Off the Beaten Track - Travel Guides
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Site Map
|
|
West Cornwall – Walks |
|
Useful Links
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
The South West Way
coastal footpath follows the entire coastline of Cornwall. It can be joined
at points all around West Cornwall. The coastline between St Ives and Pendeen
is particularly spectacular if you fancy a walk. For a spectacular
introduction to the scenery of West Cornwall, try the following walks. They
really are ‘off the beaten track’ and you’ll definitely avoid the crowds; Gurnard’s Head (2
miles) Park at the
Gurnard’s Head Hotel on the ‘main’ St Ives to St Just road (B3306) and follow
the lane beside the pub into the small village of Treen. Take the path on the
left next to the Coastguard house and follow it across several fields towards
the sea. After 1/2 mile you will see the rugged promontory which is
‘Gurnard’s Head’. To the trained eye, the remains of a 2000 year old Iron age
cliff castle can be discerned on the headland itself. The views along the
coast from the headland are breathtaking. Great place to relax and have a
secluded picnic. Chun Castle (2 1/2
miles) Short walk
providing magnificent rural views over West Cornwall, a ruined Iron age
hillfort and a bronze age burial chamber (c. 5000 years old). From Penzance
bypass, take Heamoor road and follow road through Madron and on towards
Morvah. 1/2 mile past Lanyon Farm take second road on left (signposted ‘Great
Bosullow’). Follow road for a mile (ignoring the left turn which leads to
Great Bosullow) and park at Bosullow Farm. Follow path (marked by white
stones) up hill to hillfort. The inner part of the fort is a great place to
relax in the sun and have a picnic. See if you can find the iron age well.
After visiting the fort walk along the crest of the hill to the west until
you reach the well-preserved Chun Quoit ancient burial chamber. Follow the
same path back towards the car. Porthgwarra - Land’s End (7 miles return) Excellent coastal
walk, with rugged cliffs, opportunities to see seals and sea-birds, a
sheltered cove and the attractions of Land’s End. Take B3315 from Newlyn to St
Levan. Take next left after Porthcurno turning signposted ‘Porthgwarra’. Park
at Porthgwarra car park and walk up the hill towards the coastguard station.
Follow coastal footpath from here to the west and keep on path until you
reach Land’s End - you will be able to see the
Land’s End Hotel in the distance. On the way you pass the huge cliffs of
Gwennap Head, Cam Les Boel Iron age cliff castle, Nanjizal beach (see ‘Beaches’),
the Armed Knight (arched rock in the sea) and Land’s End itself. The scenery
is so good and peaceful that Land’s End almost seems an anticlimax. Note:
This is a remote, unspoilt part of Cornwall with no amenities or shops until
you reach Land’s End - please take
drinks & food with you. The tiny shop at Porthgwarra sells soft drinks
and good pasties. |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||