Coastal footpath Zennor to Gurnard’s Head

Spring time 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.

As we circled the cove more of the sands (sometimes lost in winter storms) came into view

There are a couple of small streams and waterfalls along this route

There is a smart bridge over the stream

The vegetation is noticeable lusher within the shelter of the streams valleys walls

Streams tumbled down over the boulders to the sea

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.

A close up of the wheel pit an reminder of passed industry

We clambered sometimes over the granite outcrops with the magnificent outcrop of Gurnard’s head coming into sight

The rugged isolation of the cornish cliffs walking from Zennor to Gurnard’s head

A wheel Pit at Carn Elloe cliff

Exploring Gurnard’s Head

We explored Gurnards Head taking our choice from the  well worn paths along the spine and in doing so we passed the remains of an Iron Age defensive ditch at the narrow access leading to the site of an Iron Age Fort.

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!

Looking back towards Zennor along the beautul coast that we had just walked

The great granite outcrop that has stood against the seas for centuries

The coastal footpath is easy to follow

Carnellow point

Gurnard’s head site of an iron Age Fort and the end of our walk

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