Walk 2294 - printer friendly version

St. Agnes to Porthtowan Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 5.0 miles / 8.1 km

Ascent - 900 feet / 273 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference SW693480
Lat 50.2867560 + Long -5.2399249
Postcode TR4 8UD (approx. location only)

This walk from St. Agnes to Porthtowan explores a section of the North Cornwall coast following the South West Coast Path (SWCP). The easy-to-follow route offers excellent views along the rugged coast and the chance to explore the clifftop buildings of Wheal Coates (NT), a former tin mine. The start of the walk is the main car park at Porthtowan Beach (Grid ref. SW693480) and uses route 315 bus to reach St Agnes. The service is limited but convenient and does not operate on Sundays.

After parking walk south along Beach Road to the T-junction and turn left along Rose Hill. The bust stop is a short way along this road on the left. Stay on the bus to St Agnes and alight by the St Agnes Hotel opposite the parish church. Bear left up Trevaunance Lane and turn right down Rocky Lane (signed to the Beach). Ignore the first footpaths, signed left and right, and continue down towards the sea and turn left onto the SWCP signed to Chapel Porth. You soon join a lane and pass above Trevaunance Cove and continue up steps to the headland.

Continue along the SWCP soon passing a series of disused quarries on your left. From here the path continues to St. Agnes Head. The path turns south past a lookout station and continues along the cliff tops to Reach Wheal Coates where time should be allowed for exploration of this interesting site. Return to the SWCP and continue south using the acorn waymarks as a guide. . Descend the steep path down to the car park at Chapel Porth where there are refreshments in season. Walk to the right of the beach café and cross a small bridge. The path initially heads inland but soon turns sharp right to regain the clifftops. You pass the remains of Wheal Charlotte which lie off the main path to the left. Approaching Porthtowan, you have a fine view over the beach before dropping down to the car park.

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