Walking BritainCornwall Walk
St Gennys & Castle Point from Crackington Haven
Maps 
| Ordnance Survey Explorer 111 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer 111 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Walk Route Description
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 2731 | Cambeak from Crackington Haven | easy/mod | 4.3 miles |
| Walk 1076 | Dizzard Point & Crackington Haven | moderate | 8.0 miles |
| Walk 3755 | Dizzard Point, Millook from Penhalt Cliff | moderate | 6.0 miles |
| Walk 1029 | Tintagel to Boscastle | moderate | 9.0 miles |
| Walk 1808 | Brown Willy, exploring Cornwall's highest Tors | easy/mod | 4.0 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 - Plymouth to Poole
Map of part of the southern section of the 630 mile (1014km) South West Coast Path National Trail. Covers the trail from Plymouth to Poole along the coastline of Devon and Dorset. 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
Outdoor Photography
This practical handbook covers digital outdoor photography and the whole range of outdoor activities including walking, running, cycling, water sports (in and on the water), as participant or spectator. Covers basic concepts, equipment and processing and optimising your images back at base.
More information
Further Information
Walk Location Map
Walking in Cornwall
With a long and varied coastline Cornwall offers walkers many wonderful walks using sections of the South West Coast Path National Trail. In places the coastal scenery is very rugged and the walking often quite strenuous. Inland the moors of West Penwith and Bodmin offer a dramatic change of scenery to that encountered on the coast. Further interest is added by pretty villages and harbours, industrial archaeology, mostly focused on the former tin mines, and some outstanding archaeology sites especially in the moorland areas.
Walk grading - Learn how each walk is assessed and select a walk to suit your ability and experience by going to Walk Grading Details.
Accommodation Nearby
Self Catering & Cottage Holidays - Properties throughout the UK & Europe
Follow Walking Britain for the latest news. 
Mountain Weather
Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.