Gillan & Nare Point from Porthallow
Cornwall AONB Walk
Region - Cornwall AONB
County/Area - Cornwall
Author - Parc an Grouse Bed & Breakfast
Length - 4.7 miles / 7.6 km Ascent - 650 feet / 197 metres
Time - 3 hours 0 minutes Grade - easy
Maps
Ordnance Survey Explorer 103 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Anquet OS Explorer 103 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Ordnance Survey Landranger 204 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Anquet OS Landranger 204 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Walk Route Description
Click image to see photo description.
Porthallow is a tiny fishing village on the eastern side of the Lizard peninsula. It provides a good starting point for this superb walk, which includes woodland and famland on the outward leg to Gillan Harbour. The latter village is quite close to the Helford River estuary and it is where the walk changes from a rural to a coastal excursion. The final stretch is an airy walk along the South West Coastal Path as you head back to the pretty cottages of Porthallow. Although this walk offers plenty of interest it is far less walked than many routes in this area.
From the car park in Porthallow (grid ref. SW797231) return to the main road and head inland ignoring the right turn to Manaccan. Continue past this road junction for a short way to take the footpath on your right just after you have crossed a stream and before a row of terraced cottages. The path crosses pleasant countryside climbing steadily but staying in the valley for nearly half a mile. Take the path to a stile and keep on the lower path that continues up the valley. The path crosses the stream in a small area of woodland before climbing out of the valley to reach a road.
Turn left and pass Treglossick farm on your right to reach a T junction where you turn right for Gillan. This quiet lane continues the rural theme with pleasant farmland on either side. Where the main road turns left head straight on down a farm track. This eventually leads down through a small wood to Gillan harbour where there is a good view across to Dennis Head and St Anthony-in-Meneage.
The return route follows the coastal path to Nare Point with superb views across the Helford River estuary and Falmouth Bay. There are often ships at anchor waiting for a berth in the busy port of Falmouth and in summertime there are many pleasure craft in this sheltered bay. Stay on the coastal path to reach Nare Head from where the small village of Porthallow can be seen in the distance.
Other walks nearby
Walk 1778 | Maenporth and Helford Passage Circular | easy/mod | 8.0 miles |
Walk 2088 | Rosemullion Head & Mawnan | easy | 4.0 miles |
Walk 2001 | Coverack & Lowland Point | easy/mod | 4.2 miles |
Walk 2007 | Helford Passage & Frenchman's Creek | easy/mod | 7.0 miles |
Walk 1878 | Poldhu Cove to Lizard Point | moderate | 9.5 miles |
Walk 2010 | Housel Bay & Bass Point from the Lizard | easy | 3.5 miles |
Walk 2392 | The Lizard Circular | easy/mod | 5.9 miles |
Walk 1032 | Kynance Cove, Cadgwith & The Lizard | moderate | 8.0 miles |
Walk 2003 | Cowlands, Coombe & Roundwood Quay from Trelissick | easy/mod | 9.0 miles |
Walk 1027 | Nare Head & Portloe | moderate | 7.0 miles |
Recommended Books & eBooks
South West Coast Path Map Booklet - Minehead to St Ives
Map 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
South West Coast Path Map Booklet - St Ives to Plymouth
Map of part of the southern section of the 630 mile (1014km) South West Coast Path National Trail. Covers the trail from St Ives to Plymouth along the west Cornwall and Devon 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
Mountain Weather
Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.