Tintagel, Cornwall to Port Isaac, Cornwall

Bracing cliff walking, with not too many people to disturb your enjoyment!

map tintagel padstow

miles 26 - 28
The coast path continues on south past King Arthur's castle. A short detour will enable you to see the Norman church . After a mile there is the Tintagel Youth Hostel at Dunderhole point. It is in old slate quarry offices and has good views over the sea and cliffs.
On along the cliff edge, Hole Beach comes into view. There is a prominent pillar of rock here that was left during slate quarrying  as a shelter for the quarrymen.
Then gently on down to Port William (Trebarwith Strand) where you will need to take sustenance at the pub, as the stretch from here to Port Gaverne is very strenuous
Port William was another old port for shipping slate. When we passed in winter, there was not much shelter from the breakers
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Port William "harbour"

Port William pub

Port William in winter
miles 28 - 30
You continue past the Port William pub, and up the hill, before dropping steeply down to Backways Cove and just as steeply up the other side
The Tregardock clifftop runs for nearly a mile above the beach, which is dominated by The Mountain, a large mound. At the end of the beach the path drops steeply down again to another coombe.

port william 4

miles 30 - 32
Up the other side of the ravine, and there will be another 4 such downs and ups in the next two miles. This makes for real exercise! After the second of these coombes there is a tunnel entrance, now impassable, which used to go through to the beach at Barrets Zawn, and was used to get slate up from a beach quarry in former times.  The beach itself is quite awe inspiring.
port gaverne 2
miles 32 - 34
This section is easier going. Along the top of Bound's cliff for a mile,  with only one steep coombe to negotiate before the path drops gently down to Port Gaverne, where there is a pub if you are need of any refreshment
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Port Gaverne pub at Port Gaverne "quayside" at Port Gaverne
miles 34 - 35
Its a short stroll to Port Isaac now, up the road and round the headland and down into this small fishing village. It is relatively untouched by mass tourism. It has narrow streets, a small 15th century quay, old house and pubs. Full of character. In Cornish, Port Isaac means "corn port", which is presumably what it was used for originally
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The harbour at Port Isaac whose in charge harbour at low tide
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Post Office at Port Isaac port isaac 7 And local colour

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