The Cornish Coast- Cornwall Coastal Path

St Michael's Mount to the Lizard Cornwall. Britain's most southerly point

Coastal Walk

The Coast of Cornwall All along the western side of the Lizard Peninsula the Coast Path offers wonderful views over to Porthleven and on a clear day all the way to St Michaels Mount. Lots to see and do, heathland, coves, fishing villages, harbours and beaches too. Latitude 49 deg. 57'N

Rinsey Head Rinsey Head and the now consolidated ruins of Wheal Prosper Mine, preserved for the Nation by the National Trust. Below is Porthcew, a small low tide beach, off the beaten track and south facing- a real suntrap. From here there is a choice of two paths along the clifftops of Rinsey East Cliff to Trewavas Head with superb views back across Mounts Bay. Rinsey Head is the breeding home of a large and noisy colony of Kittiwakes. To sit and watch these seabird with their miowing almost childlike call, at times hoovering motionless in the breeze is a delight indeed. Bring a pair of binoculars.

Just around the Headland with Porthleven coming into view are the remains of Wheal Trewavas Mine: two engine houses clinging to the cliffs; a striking remainder of the hard work and toil needed to bring minerals to the surface from working deep under the sea. But given their distance from the nearest road seen by only keen walkers. (The nearest Car Park is above Rinsey Cove) In 2008 the National Trust acquired 30 acres of land at Trewavas Cliff, part of the World Heritage site listing, including the two mine engine houses and chimneys. The following year much work was undertaken to stabilise these crumbling and so precariously perched buildings. Looking at the starkly beautiful scene today it is hard to imagine that at its peak over 200 men worked extracting copper ore from workings deep underground- only to close in 1846 after inundation by the sea. A nice place to pause and take in the Cornish Coastal Path Scenery with the satellite dishes of Earth Station Goonhilly in the distance .

Porthleven has one of the few westerly facing harbours in Cornwall, and to see the waves lashing over the walls in the fiercest of gales is an awesome spectacle, that makes one realise just how insignificant man is when pitched against the angry sea. Working and pleasure boats use the harbour, local crabbers landing lobster and of course crabs destined for London restaurants and on the menu of local hotels. Seafishing trips can also be arranged from the Harbour Tackle Shop. Inland is Helston a Coinage Town and home to the May Day Floral Dance

Poldhu Cove where Marconi made the first Transatlantic Radio Transmission. Mullion Covewith a harbour constructed in 1895, but always needing repair after winter gales, hammering onto the West Coast of the Peninsula.

Only a mile or so west along from Lizard Point is Kynance Cove, like Mullion Harbour owned by the National Trust. At low tide there is a wide expanse of golden sand, clear blue water, weird rock formations, and sea caves, - a very popular beach. Swimming is not advised. Well worth the walk down from the car park above the Cove. Walk back up along the Coast path for yet more breathtaking scenery.

Coming to Cornwall? For bed and breakfast have a look at Tregaddra.

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