Gwenapp Head, Carn Les Boel and Nanjizal Beach from Porthgwarra

This circular walk provides a way to discover splendid granite cliffs along the South West Coast path leading to the secluded Nazijal beach with a beautiful rock arch. The return route follows paths inland.

Technical sheet

3998371
A St. Levan walk posted on 07/09/20 by charentimoy. Last update : 05/01/21
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.50 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 180 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 173 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 93 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 16 m
  • ⚐
    District: St. Levan 
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 50.03803° / W 5.673191°

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Nanjizal Arch at low tide
view from Carn Les Boel towards Carn Barra
Nanjizal Cove and Longships lighthouse far away
impressive cliffs and Gwennap Coastwatch

Description

Park your car at Porthgwarra car park next to the café.

(S/E) Head towards the beach and take "coast path Lands End 3 3/4m" at the junction signpost.

(1) Ascend the path overlooking the cove for half a mile, go past a red daymark on your right until you reach the National Coastwatch Institution station on Gwennap Head. Past the station, continue down the path leading to Porth Loe and go up towards Pellitras Point along these impressive cliffs and boulders.

(2) When the path levels, you finally reach a low wall and a gate. Past the gate, go straight at the fork (slightly left heading to rocks in front of you). Keep left path leading to Car Barra overlooking Pendower Cove. During clear days you can see Land's End buildings and Longships lighthouse as well!

(3) Continue down, then up along Pendower Cove until you reach Carn Les Boel with views over Nanjizal Cove. Follow the path and descend the steep stairs until you reach Nanjizal beach. A glance at the beautiful rock arch (left side when you look at the beach) which is easier to see (or reach) at low tide.

(4) Down the stairs you used, turn right and ascend the large path below the house following the blue arrow. Go through the gate and go straight ahead until the track leads to another track. Bear left heading to Higher Bosistow. At the fork before the village, turn right (red arrow) and skirt slightly right for a few metres until you find stone steps with a yellow arrow on the right. Go straight across the open field, climb the low wall and walk along the hedge on your left until you reach ruins you see far away.

(5) Before the ruins, turn left, climb another low wall and go straight across the field (yellow arrow). Climb again a low wall and head towards the house with white frontages (Porthcurno Farm Holidays) you can glimpse in front of you far away.

(6) When you reach the house (the path skirts left side) and the track, bear right onto this track between hedges which reaches a gate (RSPB Porthgwarra signpost).

(7) Past the gate bear right at the fork in front of you, bear left at the second one and again left at the third one. The path leads to a gate.

(8) Continue straight, cross a footbridge next to the pond (can be dry in summer) and go straight at the next junction (blue arrow) heading to the house far away. Bear left at the curving road which joins the car park past a final gate.(S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 24 m - Porthgwarra car park
  2. 1 : km 0.86 - alt. 44 m - Gwennap Head NCI
  3. 2 : km 1.82 - alt. 53 m - Fork
  4. 3 : km 3.3 - alt. 16 m - Carn Les Boel viewpoint
  5. 4 : km 3.69 - alt. 25 m - Nanjizal Beach
  6. 5 : km 5.08 - alt. 79 m - Ruins
  7. 6 : km 5.49 - alt. 91 m - Porthcurno Farm Holidays
  8. 7 : km 5.88 - alt. 74 m - Three sucessive forks
  9. 8 : km 6.5 - alt. 50 m - Footbridge
  10. S/E : km 7.5 - alt. 24 m - Porthgwarra car park

Useful Information

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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