Our Quickfire 3 Coastal Walks
Cornwall, and Penwith in particular, has many spectacular coastal walks that reflect the beauty of the changing seasons. Most are easily accessible, once you know how.
Here’s our current top three…
Land’s End to Nanjizal
This walk starts at the Land’s End car park. Make your way past the visitor centre and the toilets and on the left you will find the South West coast Path. Head to the left to follow the path. You will pass an animal centre and some craft workshops.
You can then pick up the path at ‘Dr Johnson’s Head’, named after Dr Samuel Johnson who wrote the first Cornish Declaration of Independence.
As you wind your way along the path you can pick out a myriad of tiny caves and coves between the massive granite cliffs. The coves are known locally as ‘zawns’ – Cornish for ‘chasm’.
Soon you’re treated to the dramatic view of the Longships Lighthouse. The original was built in 1795 and replaced in 1875 by the present day granite version which rises 35 metres above the sea.
Huge stacks of splintered rocks bear evidence to the battering that the coastline has taken over time especially during the winter months. The rock arch at Enys Dodnan, reputed to have been the location of King Arthur’s last battle, is one of the many examples of the huge power of the sea in these parts.
Next en route, you come across Pordenack Point, the location of a number of 4000 year old Bronze Age burial mounds, which West Penwith is renowned for.
It’s beneath this point that you will spy another ‘zawn’ – the ‘Lion’s Den’, thought to have been inspired by the bible story of Daniel and the lion’s den. Local people were very religious and the cave high in the cliffs would surely have inspired its name.
The last cove reached on this breathtakingly beautiful walk is Zawn Reeth. The path now begins to descend to the beach at Nanjizal. Ruined remnants of a watermill give Mill Bay its name. You’ll also find an amazing rock arch known as ‘Song of the Sea’. In late afternoon the sun shines through the arch creating a spectacular play of light.
Having reached your destination, take your time to breathe in the salty sea air, listen to the rhythm of the lapping waves and simply unwind…
Sennen to Land’s End
This invigorating walk starts in the picturesque old fishing village of Sennen. The beach is wide and family friendly. A favourite for beginner and experienced surfers too.
Passing the traditional lifeboat station you pick up the path as you head towards the first headland on your route – Pedn-mên-du or ‘Black Stone Headland’. Here you’ll find a renovated Victorian coastguard lookout. Inside is information and displays about the local area. There’s also a telescope so you can scan the horizon and channel your inner coastguard!
As you continue the walk, you pass Maen Castle, an 2000 year old Iron Age cliff fort. Another reminder of ancient Cornish history. More up to date history can be seen by glancing down towards the rocks at the base of the cliff. Here you can make out the remains of the RMS Mulheim which, in 2003, came to grief in the bay and was driven into the cliffs below into Castle Zawn.
Passing through beautiful heathland that is home to all manner of wildlife including peregrine falcons and kestrels, the view out to sea reveals the Longships Lighthouse. This part of the walk is a great viewing place to spot all types of shipping making its way up or down the Bristol Channel – binoculars could come in handy!
Soon the familiar outline of Land’s End comes into view and it’s time to reward yourself with a cream tea and tick another beautiful coastal walk off your bucket list!
Penzance to Mousehole
Of the three, this could be classed as the most ‘urban’, however the coastal path still wends it way between breathtaking vistas of Mount’s Bay and ridiculously picturesque fisherman’s cottages en route from the sizeable town of Penzance to the tiny traditional fishing village of Mousehole. The most important thing to remember here is to pronounce it ‘Mowzel’ rather than ‘Mouse-Hole’. The latter will receive an instant amused response from the locals!
Starting on the unique promenade in Penzance, follow the seafront path around to the bustling fishing village of Newlyn. Pass the internationally renowned Newlyn Art Gallery and head towards the busy fish market.
As you climb the hill next to the harbour you catch a glimpse of St Michael’s Mount glistening in the sun in Mounts Bay. Here you can either drop down to the path at sea level or carry on higher up to keep sight of the bay from above.
The route is punctuated on the right by houses built into the steep angled hillside with some of the most amazing views of the mount and the bay. Further along you pass the gates of a disused quarry, invisible from here but breathtaking when viewed from the air!
The path gently undulates its way towards Mousehole. Soon you pass the Penlee Lifeboat Station, inextricably linked with the terrible events of 1981 when the Union Star and lifeboat sank at sea and sixteen crew and lifeboatmen lost their lives. A memorial to all lost sits next to the path.
As the greenery gives way to traditional granite faced houses you reach the village of Mousehole. With its narrow, winding streets it is the picture book image of a Cornish fishing village and a fascinating place to explore at any time of the year. Treat yourself to an ice cream and look out over the harbour wall or wander down to the beach when the tide is out and get some sand between your toes..!
Wander often.
Wonder always.
