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Landscape
Celtic Cornwall
Ancient Sites
Where to Go
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Kennack Sands to Downas Cove, Treleaver - 2.2 milesOS Explorer 103: grid reference SW735165 to SW764168 View Map Walk Duration 1 Hour 30 minutes
Park your car in the large car park at Kennack Sands (£2.50 or free out of season). Drop down onto the beach if you wish. At low tide there are rock pools and boulders to investigate as well as some very rich and interesting geology. Look east along the shore to the Caerverracks rocks - separating the twin beaches of Kennack Sands.
Walk behind the beach passing the toilet block on your way east to Treleaver and Black Head. Cross the stone then wooden footbridges before following the coastpath as it climbs above the rocks at Caerverracks - at low tide it is possible to walk between the sandy western beach and the rocky eastern beach - but be aware of the state of the tide. Drop down again to walk along the back of a walled boulder-strewn beach. Once again, explore the beach if you have time - the varied rocks and boulders are well worth a visit.
Return to the coastpath. Keep right as signed where the path forks (the left hand path leads inland to Gwenter). Climb gradually up the sometimes rocky path to Eastern Cliff. Pass the wooden gate marked PRIVATE leading to the Cornish Cottage Holidays property of 'Wild Acres'. With steady progress you should reach the top after about 15 minutes. Look southwest here to see the unmistakeable white cube shaped Lloyds building on Bass Point near the Lizard Lighthouse. The path levels out for another 10 minutes or so before the finger-like rocks just off Carrick Lūz grid reference SW754168 fill your view below right.
Take some time out for photographs amongst the gorse and rocky outcrops. Shortly the path begins to descend, gradually at first into the Poldowrian Valley - incidentally the site of an ancient settlement and earthwork. Take care where the path steepens, especially in wet weather. As you cross the small stream look left to see a secluded but well cultivated garden. This seems strangely out of place here amongst the rocks and bracken. Climb (scramble) up the eastern slope of the small valley, reaching the top about 45 minutes into your walk. Look below to see Spernic Cove.
It may also be possible to see a small sea arch and caves. Cross the stile and follow the waymark post as the path runs slightly nearer the cliff edge. Reach the wide grassy area at the neck of Carrick Lūz - an Iron Age Cliff Fort - on the hour mark. Take 10 minutes out to explore the headland if it is not too windy but take care as you proceed.
Return to the coastpath and keep straight on as indicated by the yellow markers. The footpath through the large metal gate will only lead inland to Arrowan Common and Ponsongath - useful if you wish to return to Kennack Sands using a circular if sometimes muddy, route. As you continue east look below to see a small sandy beach nestling beneath the ramparts on the eastern side of Carrick Lūz. This is Lankidden Cove - a favourite with anglers and adventurous bathers.
Cross another stile and continue beside a fenced field boundary. Walk above the chasm of Zawn Vinoc grid reference SW759168. Remain on the gently undulating ground before dropping carefully down into Downas Cove. Drop down taking care on the sometimes rocky path - especially if it is wet. Negotiate the stile near the large gaping chasm of Zawn Carce. Cross the footbridge and if the tide is out take time to explore the sandy shore.
Otherwise rest awhile on the rounded serpentine boulders at the back of the beach before deciding either to retrace your steps back to Kennack Sands, or climb up the steep eastern slopes to Beagles Point, Pedn Boar, Black Head and ultimately on to Coverack.
Previous walk: Landew'nack Church Cove to Kennack Sands |
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