Walking Gurnard's Head to Zennor Head 2.2 miles

Part (i) OS Explorer Map 102: grid reference SW432387 to SW442385

Part (ii) OS Explorer Map 102: grid reference SW449396 to SW442385

Part (i) Walk Duration: 40 mins.

Part (ii) Walk Duration: 50 mins.

(i) Gurnard's Head to Porthglaze Cove - 1 mile

Park your car at Gurnard's Head Hotel as there is quite a large parking area behind the Inn. A good guidebook for the area is the National Trail Guide: SW Coast Path - Padstow to Falmouth by John Macadam. Walk to the right of the hotel and down the road past farm buildings. Bear right at the end of the road and continue down towards the coast. A short excursion onto Gurnard's Head is available but should only be attempted by those with a good head for heights and stout footwear as the headland can be quite windy with its rocks very slippery when wet.

The path narrows as you reach the coast after about a 15 minute walk, becoming 'one person wide' just above Treen Cove. Head east, over Lean Point and cross the wooden footbridge before climbing away from the coast up the quite steep inland path. Continue on your way, heading towards the large granite bungalow on the headland above Carnelloe Long Rock opposite. Now on much more level ground, walk for a further 15 minutes before dropping down to another small footbridge above Porthglaze Cove.

Climb up to the waymark post passing granite stacks. Rest awhile, looking back to Gurnard's Head and forwards to Zennor Head, Mussel Point and The Carracks rocks off Treveal. Retrace your steps to return to your car.

(ii) Zennor Head to Porthglaze Cove - 1.2 miles

Due to other commitments on this day, we had to do just a short walk from Zennor west towards Gurnard's Head, turning back at Porthglaze Cove when time grew short. Park the car at Zennor and walk up past the Church to the stile just before Zennor Head. Turn left down the steep path marked 'Pendeen 6 miles'. Continue down the well marked path passing the small waterfall before beginning your ascent up the somewhat marshy ground. The cove below you is Pendour Cove - the cove made famous in the legend of 'The mermaid of Zennor'. Pause awhile to look across the cove to the impressive cliffs at The Horseback and Zennor Head. Continue climbing up away from Pendour Cove until the path levels out on Trewy Cliff. Proceed along the narrow path running between Pendour Cove and Veor Cove before descending down to the small headland near Carnelloe Long Rock. Stop here for a few minutes for refreshment or a breather and watch the seabirds diving for fish and preening themselves on the rocks. The large headland to your left bears the unmistakeable fishy features of Gurnard'sHead, the cove below you is Porthglaze Cove. Climb the cliff passing fine castellated stacks ofgranite before turning inland where the path forks, to head towards Ponjou and the 'Church Fields Path' back to Zennor.

Previous walk: Bosigran Castle to Gurnard's Head
Next walk: Zennor Head to Carn Naun Point