Landewednack Church Cove to Kennack Sands - 3.0 miles

OS Explorer 103: grid reference SW715127 to SW735165

Walk Duration 2 Hours 5 minutes

Park your car at the FREE car park on Lizard Green, walk down along Beacon Terrace passing the brightly coloured Lizard Pasty Shop towards the Housel Bay Hotel, continue down into Church Cove to commence your walk...Our route followed Walk 14 in Book 2 of the Classic Walks Cornwall Series. With your back to the sea, walk to your right to pick up the footpath marked Cadgwith leaving the cove. Stay on the main path as several minor tracks run off it seaward to some unmarked disused quarries. Walk up to the weather beaten diamond marker at Balk Beacon. Climb the hedge immediately to its right by a stile. Look below to see Parn Voose Cove.

Cross the steepish valley and pass the large rock known as The Chair. Now about 20 minutes into the walk continue on the narrow but well-marked path as it undulates its way north. As you reach the small rise at Polbarrow - a further 10 minute walk or so take a look below right to see a small sea arch. Where the path forks keep right, passing Polgwidden before your route swings left again at the rocky outcrop of Carn Barrow. Look to your left to see a small pool - Windy Pool - nestling in the disused quarry of hornblende schist. A further 10 minutes along this sometimes muddy path will lead you to the spectacular collapsed sea cave known as Hugga Driggee or the Devil's Frying Pan, grid reference SW721124. Take 5 minutes out here to look at the structure and to listen to the sea blowing through the arch at its 'handle' - especially on a stormy day. There is now just a simple 5 minute walk down into the picturesque village of Cadgwith with its thatched cottages and small working cove. Explore The Todden - the small promontory ahead of you. Why not stop here for a break, while watching the fishermen winching their boats up the shingly beach? Refreshed, walk towards the Cadgwith Cove Inn. Turn right directly after passing the Inn and climb away from the cove towards the small darkly painted lookout. Continue on the well made path - your confidence is high as there is a low wall seaward of you. Pass Terrick Colt and Kildown Point looking below to the rocky Kildown Cove. Round Enys Head grid reference SW728150, before dropping down into the small valley at Poltesco.

Now about 2 hours into the walk pass the NT sign confirming your location. The cove to your right is Carleon Cove. Turn right and cross the fast flowing stream by a large wooden footbridge. Climb away from the cove passing above the 3 storey building on your left.as you go. This was a warehouse for the Lizard Serpentine Company that worked here from the middle of the 19th Century. It was rebuilt by the National Trust in 1970. The circular structure is the remains of the 'Capstan House', minus its roof, used by the local Pilchard fishermen until the demise of the species. The yellow-grey sands that beckon you are Kennack Sands. The fine headland at Black Head also fills the view off to your right. Follow the coastpath up to, and through, a small golf course serving the nearby caravan site. It is now a relatively simple 15 minute walk down the path then road into Kennack Sands. If you wish to make the round trip back to your vehicle, the whole trip should take roughly 4½ hours.

Previous walk: Kynance Cove to Landew'nack Church Cove
Next walk: Kennack Sands to Downas Cove