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St Gennys & Castle Point from Crackington Haven

Cornwall Walk

County/Area - Cornwall

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 3.0 miles / 4.9 km    Ascent - 900 feet / 273 metres

Time - 2 hours 20 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

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Ordnance Survey Explorer 111Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer 111Digital Map1:25kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - St Gennys & Castle Point from Crackington Haven
Click image to see photo description.

The delightful Cornish village of Crackington Haven lies on a dramatic section of coast with the high cliffs formed from contorted rock formations. This walk visits the hamlet of St Gennys, with its attractive church, before continuing north to join the South West Coast Path National Trail. The route then continues along the Coast Path to Castle Point and Pencannow Point before descending back to the village. The walk uses well signed paths and is an energetic outing with plenty of uphill walking.

The start is the pay and display car park in Crackington Haven (grid ref. SX143968). In fine weather and during holiday periods space maybe at a premium so an early or late start is recommended. After parking, exit the car park towards the sea. Turn right along the lane passing the Coombe Barton Inn. Walk uphill along the lane for about 800 metres to the first road junction (grid ref. SX151967). Care is needed on this section with traffic on the narrow lane. Turn sharp left up a track that climbs steeply between hedges. Reaching a T-junction, turn left. You now can enjoy some wonderful north along the coast.

Continue along this lane towards St Gennys. The church rower soon comes into view as you reach a road junction (grid ref. SX149970). Continue straight ahead to the village centre and visit the Church. With your back to the church, turn left back the way you came. Walk past the small parking area on the left and take the narrow lane immediately after on your left. Continue along this lane which leads to St Gennys House. Do not enter the private drive and take footpath on the left through a kissing gate. Follow this path down across a footbridge to climb up to the South West Coast Path (grid ref. SX150976).

Turn left along the Coast Path soon reaching Castle Point. Another descent leads you down to cross a stream before the path zigzags up to gain the high ground once more. Continue along the Coast Path to reach Pencannow Point where it is worth walking along the spur path to enjoy the view. From here the Coast Path descends back down to Crackington Haven. Reaching the road, turn right and you will back at the start in a few minutes.

If you have the time and energy, you can continue to Walk 2731 and explore the coastal scenery to the south of Crackington Haven.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1076 Dizzard Point & Crackington Havenmoderate8.0 miles
Walk 3755 Dizzard Point, Millook from Penhalt Cliffmoderate6.0 miles
Walk 1029 Tintagel to Boscastlemoderate9.0 miles
Walk 1808 Brown Willy, exploring Cornwall's highest Torseasy/mod4.0 miles
Walk 3279 Tors of Bodmin Moormoderate10.0 miles
Walk 1996 Woodford & Hollygrove Woodeasy/mod5.1 miles
Walk 1883 Advent Churcheasy5.2 miles
Walk 3207 Knap Head to Mansley Cliffmoderate8.0 miles
Walk 1788 Welcombe Mouth and Darracottmoderate6.0 miles
Walk 3264 Port Quin & Port Isaac Circulareasy/mod5.7 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

The South West Coast Path

The South West Coast PathGuidebook to walking the entire South West Coast Path National Trail. The route runs for 630 miles from Minehead to Poole along the north Devon, Cornish, south Devon and Dorset coastline. Divided into 45 stages, this long-distance coastal trek could be completed within 4 weeks, or walked in sections. Guide includes maps and essential information.
More information

South West Coast Path Map Booklet - Minehead to St Ives

South West Coast Path Map Booklet - Minehead to St IvesMap of the northern section of the 630 mile (1014km) South West Coast Path National Trail. Covers the trail from Minehead to St Ives along the north Devon and Cornish coastline. This convenient and compact booklet of Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps shows the route, providing all of the mapping you need to walk the trail in either direction.
More information

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