St Ives, Cornwall to Pendeen Watch, Cornwall

walk6-stive-stmic.gif (29201 bytes)

miles 104 - 106
It's six fairly strenuous miles to Zennor, and not a pub on the way. Leave St Ives along Porthmeor Beach, and on to the cliff path. The path is along the cliff tops, with two steep descents to cross streams at the mouth of two coves
wpe10.jpg (4793 bytes) wpe11.jpg (6604 bytes)
Still old engine houses on the way                            Rolling cliff tops
miles 106 - 108
After a mile of cliff walking, you reach the trig point, at 300 feet, above Carn Nuan Point. There are fabulous views from this high point. After the trig point there is a steep descent to the sea at River Cove, followed by another steep up and down to the sea again within a few hundred yards before getting to Mussel Point.
The path follows the cliffs round the bay (Wicca Pool) with one descent and climb to cross a stream
miles 108 - 110
There is another steep descent and climb, to reach Zennor Head. This is an imposing 300 foot high sheer cliff, scarred by deep gullies.
Zennor hamlet is half a mile off the path, but does have a good pub and 15th century church. There is a local legend of a mermaid, who lured the squire's son to his death at sea many years ago, still being heard singing in the bay - do listen
wpe12.jpg (6864 bytes) wpe13.jpg (7328 bytes)
Owned by the National Trust See the mermaid at Zennor Cove
miles 110 - 112
South from Zennor the coast path continues along the cliffs, round Pendour Cove (one steep stream to cross), Veor Cove(steep descent) , Porthglaze Cove (two steep climbs) and Treen Cove (one steep descent) to get to Gurnards Head.
Gurnards Head is the site of another of those Cornish Iron Age forts, with traces of huts and three ramparts.

wpe14.jpg (6881 bytes)

miles 112 - 114
On along the cliff, with a descent at Porthmeor Cove, followed by the inevitable climb up to another headland, with another Iron Age fort, Bosigran Castle, which was defended by a stone rampart.
At the end of this section there is a sunken path running inland for half a mile to Morvah, a hamlet with a 15th century church
wpe15.jpg (6197 bytes)
    Mainly glorious cliff walking on this stretch
miles 114 - 116
Along the cliff, then down to Portheras Cove and up the other side, heading towards Pendeen Watch Lighthouse. Like most of the Cornish lighthouses, Pendeen Watch was built to prevent the tragic losses of life that occurred as shipping volumes off shore increased, particularly with shipping from the Welsh coal fields. The lighthouse was built in 1900, and is open to visitors in the afternoons.
wpe16.jpg (7803 bytes) wpe17.jpg (8733 bytes)
                 The reef at Pendeen                    And the guardian

Return to Cornwall Coast Cornwall coast Front Page

Corisande Manor Hotel, Cornwall Corisande Manor Hotel, Newquay, Cornwall - the place to stay to explore the Cornish Coast

Corisande Manor Hotel, Cornwall

And if you want to learn more about Cornwall, then try our Cornish information site, Cornwall Calling

Cornwall map icon Cornwall Tourist Informwtion

Cornwall Coast - your guide to the Cornish Coastal Path