Walking Cornwall - Trevalga to Boscastle

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Walking Trevalga to Boscastle - 2.0 miles

OS Explorer 111: grid reference SX052889 to SX097914

Walk Duration 1 hour 50 minutes

Approaching Ladies Window, Firebeacon Hill

From the seat above the Ladies Window Rock Arch, drop down Firebeacon Hill passing Short Island, Foot Cove The path now runs to seaward of the Manor House. The village of Trevalga lies about ½km inland from here. Proceed on the coastpath taking a sharp 90° left turn towards Grower Rock and Grower Gut (grid reference SX085908).

Firebeacon Hill looking east to Grower Rock & Willapark

Walk through an area of gorse and bracken to meet a stile and stone wall. Follow the path as it wends its way down towards the inlet once again looking ahead to see mine workings in the cliff opposite. The prominent headland in front of you is the 97m (317 feet) high eastern Willapark with its white square building - a whitewashed watchtower - just west of Boscastle. Drop down the western slope of the valley to a footbridge.

Willapark from Grower Gut

Western Blackapit looking East

Cross a slate stile and then a stream via some strategically placed boardwalks. The route now meanders its way climbing up steps crossing another stream before climbing steeply up from the valley floor towards the former Welltown Quarry. Cross a pair of stiles to meet and pass to seaward of a large slate wall. The path runs inland of the former California Quarry and skirts around the inlet of Western Blackapit (grid reference SX091911) then climbs quite steeply once more to Willapark.

Willapark Lookout and the Cambeak

Pass the inscribed waymark post. To your right here lies Forrabury Common with its medieval field system, known as stitches. Take time out here to visit the lookout if you wish before dropping gradually down at first to Eastern Blackapit. The large offshore rock is known as The Meachard. Shortly the snaking inlet and harbour entrance of Boscastle unfolds below you. Bear right at a path junction unless you want to take the steeper route down slate steps to the harbour walls.

Above Boscastle harbour

View west from the Willapark lookout

Continue on the level path inland towards the footbridge and the end of this section (grid reference SX097914). This area was ravaged in the terrible Boscastle Flood of August 16th 2004; the video below shows the devastation. The main Cobweb Car Park and temporary Visitor Centre is situated at the eastern end of the village opposite Boscastle Pottery - both well worth a visit.