Walking Britain Cornwall AONB Walk
Gillan & Nare Point from Porthallow
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 |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
Walk Route 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/13 km
Walk 2088 Rosemullion Head from Mawnan - easy - 4.0 miles/6.5 km
Walk 2001 Coverack & Lowland Point - easy/mod - 4.2 miles/6.8 km
Walk 2007 Helford Passage & Frenchman's Creek - easy/mod - 7.0 miles/11.4 km
Walk 2010 Housel Bay & Bass Point from the Lizard - easy - 3.5 miles/5.7 km
Walk 1032 Kynance Cove & Cadgwith from the Lizard - moderate - 8.0 miles/13 km
Walk 2003 Cowlands, Coombe & Roundwood Quay from Trelissick - easy/mod - 9.0 miles/14.6 km
Walk 1027 Nare Head & Portloe from Veryan - moderate - 7.0 miles/11.4 km
Walk 1033 Caerhays, Dodman Point & Gorran Haven - mod/hard - 11.0 miles/17.9 km
Walk 1783 Dodman Point from Gorran Haven - easy/mod - 5.0 miles/8.1 km
Recommended Books & eBooks
Walking in Cornwall
This guidebook includes routes to 40 day walks in Cornwall. From short, easy strolls to longer, wilder routes, there is plenty to appeal to both families and experienced walkers. The walks explore the interior and coasts, including walks through picturesque villages, old tin-mining areas and the Lizard and Land's End Peninsulas.
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South West Coast Path Map Booklet - Minehead to St Ives
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