The West Cornwall Coast Path

Porthgwarra to Mousehole via Porthcurno and Logan Rock

Porthgwarra

Cornwall by Cornishlight | Cornwall Coast >>

The West Cornwall Coast -Porthcurno to Mousehole For walkers many rewarding walks are to be had- westwards to Porthgwarra and Lands End. Or eastwards from the popular Porthcurno Beach, along to Logan Rock to Mousehole Several paths wind their way along the cliffs with superb views across Porthcurno Bay. Beyond the headland is Penberth Cove an unspoilt fishing Cove cared for the Nation by the National Trust. With open boats on a granite slipway, the old horse drawn windlass behind. One of the most photographed locations in Cornwall.

A mile or so east along the Coast Path you look down onto Tater Du Lighthouse whitewashed and visible for many miles at the base of the cliffs. Reachable via a steep decent using steps cast into the grassy cliff slope when the lighthouse was constructed. Isolated and most definitely off the beaten track, a stiff walk along the Coast Path but so rewarding. The Light is Automatic.

Lamorna Cove Continuing further east along the Coast Path towards Mousehole for another two miles one reaches Lamorna Cove. The granite quarries not worked for nearly 90 years, all is now peaceful and difficult to imagine the heavy industry that used to dominate the Cove. Once of the most romantic places in Cornwall, thanks largely to early 20th century artists such as Samuel John 'Lamorna Birch' . The often clear blue water makes the Cove popular as a launch point with divers, off to explore the Bucks Reef or one of the many other numerous wrecks lying a short distance offshore. The Cove lies at the head of a wooded valley with a stream running down, a blaze of colour in springtime.

Like nearby Penberth Cove flowers were once grown in the small fields clinging the valley sides, though many of the fields are now overgrown. If open stop off and have a bite to eat in the coffee shop?. A mile or so back up the valley is the Lamorna Wink Inn, where walkers keen to quench their thirst with something stronger than a coffee. Inland are the Merry Maidens , a ring of 19 stones, guarded by the Pipers, a very well preserved Neolithic stone circle.

Minack Theatre There is nothing more delightful than watching an evening performance at the Minack Theatre with the moon shining down and the sound of the waves gently lapping at the rocks below . All against a back drop of Logan Rock

A mile or so along the road from Porthcurno is the Porthgwarra Valley, off the beaten track, hence often missed by many visitors to Cornwall. To reach Porthchapel Beach use the Car Park in the field behind the Church. A 15 minute walk to this low tide beach, West facing and a real sun trap, but only suitable for the fit with a climb down to the beach. Swimming not advised.

Porthcurno Underground Telegraph Museum
On the way to the Minack. The first Transatlantic underground cables were laid on Porthcurno Beach land on this now justifiably popular tourist beach - a real suntrap.

At low Water Between Porthcurno and Logan Rock are numerous sandy coves, All given names by the locals, such as Green Bay. All are low tide beaches and can only be reached by a scramble, so are not suited for the unfit or those without local knowledge. Some years there is little sand in the Bay , other years one can walk with care at Low tide all the way to Logan Rock. Rip tides make it unwise to swim off any of them, equally the unwary could find themselves cut off by an incoming tide, so take care.

Only Porthcurno Beach itself is manned by lifeguards in Season. Porthcurno has a large car park behind it, making it very popular with families. There are numerous rewarding Cornish Coastal Walks in the area. East to Penberth Cove, or West to Gwennap Head or Lands End for the keen walker.