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Godrevy Point & Hell's Mouth

Cornwall AONB Walk

Region - Cornwall AONB

County/Area - Cornwall

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 5.2 miles / 8.5 km    Ascent - 800 feet / 242 metres

Time - 3 hours 20 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer 102Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer 102Digital Map1:25kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Godrevy Point & Hell's Mouth
Click image to see photo description.

This beautiful walk between Godrevy Point and Hell's Mouth includes a section of rugged North Cornwall Coast and is ideal for a family outing. The route is easy to follow using a section of the South West Coast Path and includes Godrevy Island with its lighthouse, views across St. Ives Bay and the chance to see seals and dolphins. Along the way there are small coves and beaches where you may wish to linger a while.

The start is the Godrevy National Trust car park (grid ref. SW584422) which is signed off the B3301 Hayle to Portreath road (brown sign). Follow the access road off the B3301 and use the first car park on the left which has a café. After parking walk to the end of the car park (sea on your left), pass the surf school, and follow a clear path. Pass a small parking area on your right and where the road bends right, leave the road and fork left along a grassy path. Just up the road you can see a toilet block and another car park. The path runs above Godrevy Cove with its sandy beach. Ignore the path down to the beach and bear right to continue along the cliff tops. Pass through a stone wall and enjoy the view to Godrevy Island with its lighthouse, which was built in 1854 after a number of ships were wrecked on the rocks.

Soon after passing the lighthouse, the path bends right and the view ahead includes a fine stretch of North Cornwall coast. The next cove on the left (Mutton Cove) often has seals basking on the shore. The onward undulating path is easy to follow and continues along the cliff tops to reach a gate (grid ref. SW589433) which provides access to the heathland of the Knavocks. Continue along the coast path rounding another headland (Navax Point). A short diversion up to the OS trig column offers a wider view and is the highest point of walk (76 m., 237 ft.).

From here the path continues along the cliffs. Continue ahead and follow the path along the cliff tops gradually descending to Hell's Mouth. This is a dramatic, rocky inlet and one can imagine how it got its name. Close by on the roadside is a café if you need refreshments. To return to the start, retrace your steps along the South West Coast Path enjoying a different perspective of this rugged coast.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2206 St. Ives - a town strolleasy1.5 miles
Walk 2294 St. Agnes to Porthtowaneasy/mod5.0 miles
Walk 2208 Marazion - a town strolleasy1.0 miles
Walk 1081 Zennor & St Ives coast pathmod/hard11.0 miles
Walk 1223 Morvah to Zennor coastmoderate5.5 miles
Walk 2207 Penzance - a town strolleasy1.5 miles
Walk 3501 Penzance to Porthcurno via Mousehole and Lamornamoderate11.0 miles
Walk 2205 Newlyn - a village traileasy1.0 miles
Walk 1224 Men-an-tol & Ding Dong Mineeasy3.0 miles
Walk 3325 Chun Quoit & Carn Kenidjack easy4.0 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

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

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

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