March 2014
We covered this section with a total of four walks, staying for two nights at the excellent Lizard YHA and for a further two nights with a cousin of Elizabeth's near to Mawnan Smith.
Coverack (Car Park) to Pedn-myin
Sunday 09 March 2014
Our first walk was a very short 'out and back' along the Coast Path from the car park at the northern end of Coverack to Pedn-myin: a mere 1.35km (0.8 miles) each way. This must have been the shortest day walk that we have completed on the coast path!
We had left home in the morning with the intention of walking a somewhat greater distance, but were delayed because of a road closure on the way to Coverack and we had arranged to meet with one of Elizabeth's cousins on the way to The Lizard. We simply ran out of time!
We set out towards Lowland Point, but just past The Grove (above Pedn-myin), we met a couple who advised us that the way further on was very muddy and boggy. With this warning in mind we retraced our steps; planning to incorporate the section round Lowland Point, if possible, as part of the walk the next day: Monday 10 March.
Pedn-myin to Gillan
Monday 10 March 2014
We walked this section in two parts: walking the northern section from Rosenithon to Gillen before the southern part from Pedn-myin to Rosenithon. We did it 'out of order' so that we use the bus from Gillan to St Keverne: just one bus a day!
After our coffees at the Five Pilchards we paused beside the nearby South West Coast Path half-way marker: 315 miles from Minehead; 315 miles to South Haven Point. It had only taken us from September 2011 to get this far! At this rate we should manage to reach Poole Harbour by September 2016!
The Path on to Gillan led us around Nare Point with its observation point before taking us in a westerly direction towards Gillan.
We made the short diversion to the ferry landing on the south bank of Gillan Creek and then retraced our steps to pick up inland route, through the daffodil fields to the lane at Gillywartha and the bus shelter at the top of the lane which leads down to Gillan. We were there in good time for the bus, so we did not have to resort to the taxi!
When we do bus walks we always prefer to arrange things so that we can use the bus at the start of the walk. This means that we do not have to rush to catch a bus which may run only infrequently, or, as today: just one bus a day.
On this occasion, if we were to do this as a bus walk the only practical solution was to walk early and then catch the bus back to St Keverne. There was a bonus in this: we should then be able to complete the part of the walk from Pedn-myin to Rosenithon.
That is what we did! After a short refreshment stop in the car at St Keverne, we once again set out from The Square on a 'panhandle' walk. Our route took us past the village school and Trythance, then by the Dean Quarries to join the Coastal Path 200 yards or so from the quarry jetty.
We headed to the point above Pedn-myin (SW793193), where we had turned round the previous day. The way past Lowland Point was not at all easy. Although it was not hilly, it was very wet and boggy in places and the direction that we should follow was not all that clear. Nevertheless we found our way; the relative discomfort being forgotten when we spotted a pod of dolphins and watched them elegantly leaping and diving off of Lowland Point. One of the truly memorable moments of the Coast Path.
The route back to St Keverne took us around the desert-like landscape of the quarry workings to Rosenithon for the return to St Keverne.
The walk distances for the day (both walks): SWCP distance: 11.75km (7.25 miles); walk total: 18.5km (11.5 miles).
Cumulative distance from Minehead: approximately 521km (324 miles) (Over half way - see above!).
Gillan Creek to Helford
Tuesday 11 March 2014
A circular walk, parking the car at the car park above Helford.
We left the car park and followed the lane down to Helford, but instead of staying on the Coast Path to the ferry pier, we continued south and then south-east to Manaccan before dropping down to Gillan Creek to follow the Coast Path beside and (in places) along the road to St Anthony in Meneage, where we ate our picnic lunch, sitting on the conveniently placed seat outside the churchyard.
From St Anthony in Meneage we followed the Path, looping around St Dennis Head before heading in a westerly direction to Helford, where we continued down to the ferry pier (summer only ferry) before returning to the car for the drive to Mawnan Smith.
Walk distances: SWCP distance: 6.5km (4 miles); walk total: 9.5km (6 miles).
Cumulative distance from Minehead: approximately 527km (327 miles).
Helford Passage to Falmouth
Wednesday 12 March 2014
We started this linear walk by following the lane from the road junction at the entrance to Trebah Gardens (where there is a bus stop) down to Helford Passage before picking up the Coast Path towards Falmouth, passing Durgan on the way.
It was a grey, overcast day with only moderate visibility. The mournful sound of the foghorn in the distance accompanied us for much of the way. Nevertheless it did not rain and we enjoyed our day: picnicking at Rosemullion Head, where we caught sight of a seal, oystercatchers and cormorants, before continuing to Maenporth and Swan Pool; rounding Pendennis Point with its castle. From the Point it was an easy walk past the docks and through the town to Princes Pier, where the ferry to St Mawes departs.
At the end of our walk we caught the bus from the main Falmouth bus terminus (The Moor) back to Helford Passage, Trebah Gardens.
Walk distances: SWCP distance: 16 km (10 miles); walk total: 17.5km (11 miles).
Cumulative distance from Minehead: approximately 539km (335 miles).
We had left home in the morning with the intention of walking a somewhat greater distance, but were delayed because of a road closure on the way to Coverack and we had arranged to meet with one of Elizabeth's cousins on the way to The Lizard. We simply ran out of time!
We set out towards Lowland Point, but just past The Grove (above Pedn-myin), we met a couple who advised us that the way further on was very muddy and boggy. With this warning in mind we retraced our steps; planning to incorporate the section round Lowland Point, if possible, as part of the walk the next day: Monday 10 March.
Pedn-myin to Gillan
Monday 10 March 2014
We walked this section in two parts: walking the northern section from Rosenithon to Gillen before the southern part from Pedn-myin to Rosenithon. We did it 'out of order' so that we use the bus from Gillan to St Keverne: just one bus a day!
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| St Keverne Square |
We made an early start to drive to St Keverne, where we parked the car in The Square. We did not want to miss 14:47 from Gillan Bus Shelter to St Keverne, or it would have been a three mile trudge across the fields - or a taxi! I would have considered having to resort to a taxi a great failure!
We set off from The Square to join the Coast Path at the little hamlet of Rosenithon, then passing The Giant's Quoits on the inland route, avoiding the quarries, down to Porthoustock. The route from Porthoustock to Porthallow once again follows an inland route, with the disused St Keverne Quarry and the MOD Radar station to the seaward side of the Path. We knew that at Porthallow there was The Five Pilchards pub, which we had as an aim for a well deserved (so we thought, anyway) cup of coffee.
When we arrived there, the front door was open! We were in luck! When we peered inside, though, it was clear that they were not open: it was cleaning day! They took pity on us, however, and offered us a coffee each. A real Cornish welcome that was very much appreciated.
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| A Cornish Stile |
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| Halfway there! At Porthallow |
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| Another Path Diversion! |
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| St Anthony Head & St Mawes |
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| St Anthony in Meneage and Gillan Harbour |
When we do bus walks we always prefer to arrange things so that we can use the bus at the start of the walk. This means that we do not have to rush to catch a bus which may run only infrequently, or, as today: just one bus a day.
On this occasion, if we were to do this as a bus walk the only practical solution was to walk early and then catch the bus back to St Keverne. There was a bonus in this: we should then be able to complete the part of the walk from Pedn-myin to Rosenithon.
That is what we did! After a short refreshment stop in the car at St Keverne, we once again set out from The Square on a 'panhandle' walk. Our route took us past the village school and Trythance, then by the Dean Quarries to join the Coastal Path 200 yards or so from the quarry jetty.
We headed to the point above Pedn-myin (SW793193), where we had turned round the previous day. The way past Lowland Point was not at all easy. Although it was not hilly, it was very wet and boggy in places and the direction that we should follow was not all that clear. Nevertheless we found our way; the relative discomfort being forgotten when we spotted a pod of dolphins and watched them elegantly leaping and diving off of Lowland Point. One of the truly memorable moments of the Coast Path.
The route back to St Keverne took us around the desert-like landscape of the quarry workings to Rosenithon for the return to St Keverne.
The walk distances for the day (both walks): SWCP distance: 11.75km (7.25 miles); walk total: 18.5km (11.5 miles).
Cumulative distance from Minehead: approximately 521km (324 miles) (Over half way - see above!).
Gillan Creek to Helford
Tuesday 11 March 2014
A circular walk, parking the car at the car park above Helford.
We left the car park and followed the lane down to Helford, but instead of staying on the Coast Path to the ferry pier, we continued south and then south-east to Manaccan before dropping down to Gillan Creek to follow the Coast Path beside and (in places) along the road to St Anthony in Meneage, where we ate our picnic lunch, sitting on the conveniently placed seat outside the churchyard.
From St Anthony in Meneage we followed the Path, looping around St Dennis Head before heading in a westerly direction to Helford, where we continued down to the ferry pier (summer only ferry) before returning to the car for the drive to Mawnan Smith.
Walk distances: SWCP distance: 6.5km (4 miles); walk total: 9.5km (6 miles).
Cumulative distance from Minehead: approximately 527km (327 miles).
Helford Passage to Falmouth
Wednesday 12 March 2014
We started this linear walk by following the lane from the road junction at the entrance to Trebah Gardens (where there is a bus stop) down to Helford Passage before picking up the Coast Path towards Falmouth, passing Durgan on the way.
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| Durgan |
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| Durgan |
At the end of our walk we caught the bus from the main Falmouth bus terminus (The Moor) back to Helford Passage, Trebah Gardens.
Walk distances: SWCP distance: 16 km (10 miles); walk total: 17.5km (11 miles).
Cumulative distance from Minehead: approximately 539km (335 miles).
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