Springtime is a wonderful time to explore the coastal footpath and immerse yourself in the new life coming to the coastal stoop and yet still see the historic surviving traces of man’s activity exposed before it is enveloped by the cocoon of summer vegetation hides them for another year. A few years ago now we had the opportunity to walk the coast footpath from the pretty atmospheric village of Zennor on a glorious spring day and below you will find some snaps from our walk around to the great jutting granite headland of Gurnards Head.
Walking from Zennor
From the idyllic granite village of Zennor, we followed a stream exotically clothed with lush Gunnera down to the coast with the glimpse of a pretty sandy cove, before setting out with a steady tread, with the fresh sea air so sweet and clean wafting in from the Atlantic.
Following the clifftop to Gurnard’s Head
The massive granite cliffs along this walk are rich with the remains of old mine working and there’s even an old mill standing beside a small waterfall in a shallow river valley. Look out for the mine adits still carrying water from the lost tin mines down to the sea and the remains of an old count house at Carnellow Point before tackling the last section of the walk to Gurnards head juts defiantly out into the ocean.
Exploring Gurnard’s Head
We explored Gurnards Head, taking our choice from the well worn paths along the spine. We passed the remains of an Iron Age defensive ditch at the narrow access that leads to the site of an Iron Age Fort.
Where to eat along the route? Picnic or Pub?
We found a sheltered spot to enjoy our sandwiches and enjoyed immersing ourselves in the sounds of the sea crashing on to the cliff around us but another option would be to turn inland for a rather good pub lunch at the Gurnard’s head Inn
Try this walking guide for exact instruction leading to a rewarding pint and pub lunch!
For a downloadable map and full walking directions try iwalk Cornwall Zennor to Gurnard’s Head guide for step by step instructions.
More walks near St Ives
If you’ve enjoyed this blog you might like The Grandeur of the Cornish Cliffs – a coastal walk from Zennor to St Ives but be warned this is quite a challenging walk! To get off of the beaten track try my suggestions for Three winter walks and to blow the Cobwebs away Three Beach walks
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