Porthpean to Black Head circular walk

Porthpean to Black Head

The footbridge at direction 18 has disintegrated. Until it's replaced, wellies are likely to be the best option to wade through the small stream and surrounding mud.

A circular walk from the sandy beach at Porthpean, past the brilliant white shingle beaches at Silvermine to the Iron Age fort on Black Head, returning via the site of an Iron Age metal works with spectacular views over St Austell Bay.

Get the app to guide you around the walk

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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.
Phone showing walk directions page in the iWalk Cornwall app
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 follows the Coast Path from Porthpean around St Austell Bay, passing through the Ropehaven Cliffs Nature Reserve on the way to Black Head. After rounding the headland to Hallane Mill, the route follows the stream up the valley to Pencarrow and then a lane through Trevissick and Lobb's Shop to Castle Gotha farm. From here the route follows footpaths across the fields with spectacular views of the bay before reaching Higher Porthpean, with the road past the church completing the circular route.

Highlights

  • Panoramic views from Black Head of St Austell and Mevagissey Bays
  • Rocky cove at Hallane with a waterfall and natural arch
  • Spectacular views across St Austell Bay from near Castle Gotha
  • Sheltered, sandy beach at Porthpean

Considerations

  • Note that most coastal walks in Cornwall have paths close to unfenced cliffs.

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Vital statistics

  • OS Explorer: 105
  • Distance: 5 miles/9 km
  • Steepness grade: Strenuous
  • Recommended footwear: Walking boots (waterproof in winter)
  • Café: ✓

OS maps for this walk

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

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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