Walk: Porth Chapel to St Agnes coast path, Cornwall

This easy to follow walk (it also makes a great trail run) takes in one of my favourite stretches of the Cornish coast path and includes all the Cornish classics – beautiful old mine shafts, wild flowers, deep blue ocean and, of course, a warm pub waiting at the end.

Walk Chapel Porth to St Agnes Cornwall

Walk Chapel Porth to St Agnes Cornwall, 10km, three hours

Start at Chapel Porth beach, where there’s a handy car park. When the tide is out you can romp around on the wide stretch of sand and explore in dark, creepy caves. If you need a pre-walk snack, there’s a lovely little cafe in the car park that sells toasties, coffee and deliciously weird iced hedgehogs (ice cream rolled in hazelnuts). Then face the ocean and take the coast path leading to the right. It’s a steep initial climb but then you’re high above the ocean. I’ve never seen water the colour of the Cornish coast – a pale duck egg blue, even on grey winter days, and so clear you might spot a seal or two playing in the shallows.

Walk Chapel Porth to St Agnes Cornwall

Keep along the path (in spring the path blazes with gorse flowers) and you’ll pass Wheal Coates, one of the most beautiful old tin mines on the Cornish coast.

The path is easy to follow (check the map below and follow the yellow acorn markers) and soon brings you out onto purple heathland and the windswept head where NCI St Agnes Head lookout sits perched, watching the ever-changing ocean – you can pop in and say hello if they aren’t busy.

Walk Chapel Porth to St Agnes Cornwall

Round the final corner and the coast path spits you out over Trevaunance Cove, and steep steps lead down to the cove. Stop and watch to see if any surfers are riding the waves below. Walk down past pretty cottages to the Driftwood Spara pub for a pint by the fire. From here you can walk up the hill to the village of St Agnes, or turn back to follow your tracks back home (you definitely deserve an iced hedgehog now).

After more ideas for a weekend down south?
Check out my guide to creative things to do in Cornwall.

Walk Chapel Porth to St Agnes Cornwall

Walk Chapel Porth to St Agnes Cornwall

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