Section: Tintagel to Port Isaac

Length: 9 miles (15km)

Distance from Minehead to Tintagel : 146

Distance from Port Isaac to Poole: 478.1

Grading: Severe

Height gained (and also lost): 2740ft (835m)

Summary:

The fairly easy walk out of Tintagel allows you to enjoy some of the spectacular views from this section of the North Cornwall coast before commencing a particularly challenging walk to Port Isaac. The Path between Trebarwith Strand and Port Isaac is especially long and difficult, with some steep descents into valleys and tough climbs up to the cliff tops again, especially beyond Bounds Cliff. Historically this area was significant for fishing and fish processing as well as slate extraction and there are remnants of these trades to be seen on the Coast Path. This stretch is designated both Heritage Coast status and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty so it is worth persevering along the harder stretches. Port Isaac is a real reward at the end of this strenuous walk, with its beautiful alleyways, many listed buildings and harbourside cafes and pubs. You may well recognise Port Isaac from the TV series Doc Martin, as it is the village he lives in (renamed as Portwenn in the series).

Highlights along the path:

• Tintagel Church of St Materiana’s with its Norman font and windows and a Roman milestone situated in the south transept.
• Standing on Glebe Cliff: thought to be the site of a royal cemetery which served the dynasty of Tintagel headland.
• Stunning Trebarwith Sands.
• Climbing from sea level to the top of Dennis Point (300ft, 90m), taking in the views and preparing to climb back down to sea level again on the other side!
• The remains of slate quarry buildings and donkey tracks around Backway’s Cove, now a haven for butterflies and coastal flowers.
• Birdwatching on Bounds Cliff, (420ft). This is a good place to spot peregrines and nesting guillemots and kittewakes in the summer.
• The cob walled fishing cellars of Port Gaverne, which once handled 1.5 million fish a week.
• Exploring the beautiful fishing village of Port Isaac, with its network of alleyways, including one especially narrow one called ‘Squeeze-ee-belly’. This unspoilt village has frequently been used as a TV and film set and can be seen in Doc Martin, Poldark and Saving Grace.

Worth a look (interesting places close to the path):

• Tregardock Beach: a long climb down and back up again, but well worth the effort.
• Walking the point at Port Gaverne and taking in the views before entering Port Isaac.

Shorter option:

You could stop in Port Gaverne, just before Port Isaac (8.3 miles, 13.4 km).

Longer option:

Once past Port Isaac there is very little accommodation close to the path until you reach Polzeath, 8.9 miles, (14.3 km) further on.

Public transport info:

There is a direct Western Greyhound bus service from Exeter (which has a mainline rail station) to Camelford. Buses also run between Exeter and Okehampton and then from Okehampton and Camelford. The Western Greyhound service 594 runs hourly between Tintagel and Camelford and the 584 runs every 2 hours from Camelford to Port Isaac. For details visit Traveline or phone 0870 6082608.

Refreshments:

You can stock up on supplies at the beginning of the day in the shops and cafes of Tintagel. Refreshments are also available further on at Trebarwith Strand and there is an inn at Port Gaverne. Port Isaac has a wide selection of pubs, cafes, restaurants and shops.

Nearest Car park:

Tintagel (Postcode for Sat Navs: PL34 0DB), inland from Trebarwith Strand, Port Gaverne and Port Isaac.

Toilets:

Tintagel, Trebarwith Strand, Port Gaverne and Port Isaac.

More information:

Tintagel Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01840 779084. There is often a mobile visitor centre situated in the main car park above Port Isaac.

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