There are two easy walks from Perranuthnoe along the coastal footpath with a myriad of variations for the routes. As spring turned into summer, we’ve managed to squeeze in three lovely walks along the south west coastal footpath. Each walk has been very different and each walk is quite short (about a mile or so).
The time taken will only be set by the need to stop to take photos every few yards or so! I shared our first walk last week on the north coast from Carn Galver to Porthmoina cove.
So this week we’re closer to home walking east and west from Ednovean farm following the coastal footpath that passes through Perranuthnoe.
Here in The South West coastal foot path explores some breathtaking scenery as it circumnavigates the coast.
Each coast bringing its very own unique character to a walk in West Cornwall and it’s a perfect way to explore West Penwith. From the magnificent grandeur of the granite cliffs of the north Cornish coast to the gentle undulations of Mounts Bay as the land dips towards the foreshore near St Michael’s Mount, there is a path for every mood.
Perranuthnoe to Cudden Point
Cudden point juts out into Mounts bay, with a sharp ridge that always reminds me of a dinosaur back. It’s roughly an hours walk from Perranuthnoe but sometimes I feel Pixied as it always seems to be just in front of me but I never do get there!
We’ve been longing to return to Stackhouse Cove once again and it was a perfect way to celebrate our recent anniversary. Finally on a glorious May morning when the sea pinks were in flower, we revisited this familiar walk.
Do stop to explore Trevean Cove – a sea birds haunt, with a mine adit draining into it at one end and the remains of a cement vessel revealed by the sea at very, very low tide.
Stackhouse Cove
We continued to clamber down into Stackhouse Cove tucked under the shelter of Cudden Point, just below Acton Castle.
This is a wonderful spot for snorkelling at high tide with pools and zawns teaming with fish; or maybe to spuddle in the sea pools at low tide. There are sea caves to explore under the cliff, each presiding over a small pebbly beach, with a sandier beach at the far end below a ruined boat house. You may have noticed my snap of the beach in my blog “Dreaming of Cornwall – here’s my wish list”
The access has been overwhelmed with vegetation at the eastern end now, so take care not to be cut off from retracing your steps.
We celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary
Our walk stopped there with a glass of wine to celebrate our anniversary. Maybe we were piskied because that was as far as we walked that day!
So many wonderful memories over the years
We have so many wonderful memories of swimming and snorkelling on this cove over the years. Memories of Picnicking on a beach cut of by a neap tide, having bribed the dog to swim there. (Don’t try it at high tide you’ll drown) Searching for cowries shells below the boat house.
A cave in the cliffs
The pool Charles found when he clambered up to a cut cave on the cliff. He snapped this pool cut deep into the cliff but whether it is part of a mine working or the pool cut for Admiral Stackhouse’s wife I don’t know. I would say that nothing would induce me to venture in it!
A sea pool cut for Admiral Stackhouse’s wife
But we did find this pool with a couple of stone cut steps on the eastern end the on the rocky plateau.
Ah memories so perfect for an anniversary.
Cudden Point
Walk on to Cudden Point but take care the path has been diverted slightly inland and is now quite steep. There is a glorious view around Mounts bay from here encompassing the Lizard to the east and Penzance and St Michael’s Mount to the west.
Cudden Point is the site of an Iron Age fort and concealed Prussia Cove from the eyes of long ago excise men in Penzance.
Prussia Cove was the notorious haunt of the John Carter the “Prince of Prussia” leader of a smuggling gang. The cellars can still be seen (now bricked up!) in the cliffs. These days you are more likely to hear the music of the International Musicians Seminar if you should walk through.
Perranuthnoe to Marazion via Trenow
Stroll westwards from Perranuthnoe. For a walk accompanied by the ever present St Michael’s Mount, bordered by banks decked in clouds of Valerian.
Choose between tow routes to Trenow and Marazion or if you take the inland route above the church make that three!
Stroll along the soft earthy cliffs just above the rocky foreshore for the breath of the sea. Or walk along a bridle path just beyond the village church immersed in the wild flowers. This track so reminiscent of a Mediterranean Camino, dissects the tiny fields.
Via Trenow Cove
Marazion lies ahead, ever framed by swooping branching along the track. But it must have been the pixies again, because we settled down at Trenow cove at high tide to soak up the sunshine and take our first swim of the year!
However if Marazion still calls, the footpath is above the slipway to skirt the soft cinnamon cliffs. Follow this path around the granite cairn towards Top Teig beach. There has been a landslip beside the access to this beach so follow the diversion signs to the top of Marazion.
Stroll down through the narrow village street to the Marazion village square. A perfect spot to linger in the little galleries, find a café or visit St Michael’s Mount.
Blessed Piskie!! we never do finish a walk. But if you do, and feel a little bit tired, catch the Penzance to Helston bus that plies the A394. This road that runs parallel to the sea. Happy walking!
Pixied or Pisked!
Cornish Piskie are mischievous spirit creatures said to ride horses in the night leaving ringlets in their manes and tease humans into a repeated Groundhog Day. The cure, I’m told is to turn your coat inside out, to break the spell they you can continue to your destination. Don’t confuse a pixie with a spriggan though; these are malevolent spirits who guard the cairns and barrows.
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