Porthcurno, Porthgwarra and Gwennap Head circular walk

Porthcurno, Porthgwarra and Gwennap Head

A circular walk from Porthcurno, passing the Minack Theatre, St Leven's Holy Well, Porthchapel and Porthgwarra beaches, to Gwennap Head where the English Channel meets the Atlantic and the Runnelstone Reef has claimed so many ships that divers are unsure where the wreckage is from.

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Download the (free) app then use it to purchase this walk.
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The app will direct you to the start of the walk via satnav.
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The app guides you around the walk using GPS, removing any worries about getting lost.
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The walk route is described with detailed, regularly-updated, hand-written directions.
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Each time there is a new direction to follow, the app will beep to remind you, and will warn you if you go off-route.
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A map shows the route, where you are at all times and even which way you are facing.
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Each walk is packed with information about the history and nature along the route, from over a decade of research than spans more than 3,000 topics.
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Once a walk is downloaded, the app doesn't need wifi or a phone signal during the walk.
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The app counts down distance to the next direction and estimates time remaining based on your personal walking speed.
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We keep the directions continually updated for changes to the paths/landmarks - the price for a walk includes ongoing free updates.

either as a GPS-guided walk with our app (£3.29) or a PDF of directions (£2.79) Example of directions

The walk starts at Porthcurno and climbs the cliff to the Minack Theatre with spectacular views over Pedn Vounder. The coast path then forms the route via Porth Chapel and St Levan's Holy Well to the tiny cove of Porthgwarra, now famous for the nude swimming scene in Poldark. The walk continues around Gwennap Head passing the abyss formed by a collapsed cave and coastguard lookout before returning across the fields via St Levan's legendary stone in the churchyard.

Highlights

  • Sandy beaches at Porthcurno, Chapel Cove and Porthgwarra
  • Spectacular coastal scenery
  • Views of the Runnelstone buoy, Wolf Rock + Longships lighthouses and The Scilly Isles
  • Wildflowers in late spring and early summer
  • Wildlife including seals, birds of prey and choughs
  • Ancient relics including St Levan's well, chapel and stone.
  • Telegraph museum at Porthcurno

Considerations

  • Route includes paths close to unfenced cliff edges.

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Vital statistics

  • OS Explorer: 102
  • Distance: 5.4 miles/8.7 km
  • Steepness grade: Moderate-strenuous
  • Recommended footwear: Walking shoes, or trainers in summer
  • Café: ✓

OS maps for this walk

Click or tap on map for more info (blue=laminated)

Adjoining walks

either as a GPS-guided walk with our app (£3.29) or a PDF of directions (£2.79) Example of directions

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