Porthgwarra to Penberth Cove
Walk
Cornwall Coast Path

Cornwall Information & Accommodation Guide

Porthgwarra to Penberth Cove 3 miles (4.8 km)

1. Starting near the shop in the centre of Porthgwarra turn left to walk towards the coast then turn right. After a short distance bear left and follow the coast path uphill.

As you walk up the gently climbing path you can look to your right to view Porthgwarra Beach and the tunnels which were cut into the rock by miners from St Just.

The path leads you between granite boulders. Keep an eye open for seabirds such as divers on the rocks with fulmars and gannets. If you are walking in the spring or autumn there is a chance that you might see one of the rare migrants that often get blown onto the coast here.

The first point you reach, where you can look back at Porthgwarra, is Carn Scathe. On the cliff here is a huge, almost round granite boulder.

2. When you reach a fork in the path keep right to follow the coast path.

Just ahead of you the rocks pushing out into the sea are known as the Vessacks. There are some good sites for rock climbing here.

3. A fairly level stretch of path brings you to Carn Barges.

Translated from Cornish this means 'buzzards' tor' and is a name found several times along the Cornish coast path.

In spring hundreds of colourful wildflowers - sea pinks, bluebells, stitchwort - line the path, while in summertime the air is filled with the sound of birdsong from wheatears and linnets to stonechats and skylarks.

4. The coast path descends gently into the valley of Porth Chapel.

Below you is Porth Chapel beach but before exploring the beach or continuing along the cliffs, you can see the ancient Holy Well of St Selevan. The Well was believed to be in use in pre-Christian times. St Selevan (St Levan) was a Celtic saint who travelled from Ireland in the 6th century. The church dedicated to him is at St Levan at the head of the valley.

5. The path continues across a new wooden bridge. You can choose to make a detour onto the beach. The beach path is quite steep and requires some scrambling over rocks close to the beach.

6. Having crossed the valley and reached the top of the cliff you now proceed towards Porthcurno.

A group of rocks called the Carracks lie off the headland of Pedn-men-an-mere.

7. The path opens out onto the car park of the Minack Theatre.

This unique outdoor theatre is perched on the cliffs above Porthcurno carved into the granite. The Minack Visitor Centre is open all year round. During the performance season from April to September there are a huge variety of shows.

8. The coast path now descends down a steep cliff onto Porthcurno Beach.

9. To continue your walk to Penberth Cove, head across to the back of the beach and to the right to pick up the coast path.

It's s steep climb but on reaching Percella Point there are amazing views back across Porthcurno beach to the Minack.

Porthcurno has six surviving pillboxes from the Second World War and one of these, in excellent condition, is located on Percella Point.

The foot of Carn Kizzie is good for snorkelling.

10. The coast path now passes along the clifftop on Treen Cliff. Below is Pednavounder Beach, sometimes known as Treen Beach.

There is a narrow path down to the beach on the area of cliff known as Daw Zawn.

11. Back on the coast path, you pass Kite's Carn above Treen Cliff.

Ahead of you is Treryn Dinas, the home of the famous 'logging' stone, the Logan Rock. The headland is an ancient fortification. An Iron Age Cliff Castle. You can make a detour from the coast path to visit the Logan Rock and the Cliff Castle.

If you want to take a break for refreshments, the Logan Rock Inn is just a short walk inland to the village of Treen. You will see the circular metal footpath sign on the coast path close to the entrance to Treryn Dinas. At the foot of Treryn Dinas, below the Logan Rock, is a Polpry Cove (Prye Beach).

A number of rocks, large enough to be small islands, lie around the base of Treryn Dinas. Great Goular is on the west side of the headland, Horrace is off the point and Seghy is on the east of the headland, offshore from Cripp's Cove.

12. Rejoining the coast path, you now walk across Cribba Head above the eastern side of Treen Cliff . The path descends to Penberth Cove.


Public Transport

Bus service between Penzance and Land's End
Service A1 operated by First Kernow

Visit Public Transport in Cornwall for latest timetable

OS Explorer Map 102 - Land's End, Penzance and St Ives

Location:
Into Cornwall Area Map Land's End Peninsula

Road directions to Porthgwarra to Penberth Cove - Walk - Cornwall Coast Path

Books online:
Click here to buy books online about Porthgwarra to Penberth Cove - Walk - Cornwall Coast Path

  Topical phrases of the month January: 'New Year's Resolutions'

  Place Name of the Month January: Tre at Last!