Printable WalkGorran Haven Circular

Start
Gorran Haven Car Park - PL26 6JG
Finish
Gorran Haven Car Park
Length
5.4 miles (8.8 km)
Summary

This walk is split between Coast Path and inland Footpaths. It includes spectacular views along the Cornish coastline as far as South Devon, plenty of historical and natural interest and a couple of excellent, safe beaches with amenities. An excellent walk for children, who will love the historical quayside features as well as the beaches.

Public Transport

Western Greyhound operates a bus service (no. 526) from Newquay, via St Austell to Gorran Haven car park.  For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the bus stops, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

Nearest car park

Gorran Haven (Postcode for Sat Navs: PL26 6JG).

Nearest toilets

There are toilets (including disabled) 100m from Gorran Haven Car Park, on the road to the beach. The Rising Sun pub in Portmellon has toilets for use by patrons (only open from April–September), as does the Barley Sheaf pub in Gorran Churchtown (open all year).

Nearest refreshments

There are shops and cafes in Gorran Haven which will supply all necessary refreshments. There are pubs in Portmellon and Gorran Churchtown, a small beach shop at Portmellon and a shop/post office in the village of Gorran Churchtown.

Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2013. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100022021.

Route Description

  1. The walk begins at Gorran Haven Car Park, which has a small daily charge. Turn left onto ‘Canton’ and walk down the hill to the beach. You will pass some toilets and various shops (some only seasonal).
  2. Turn left at the lime kiln and walk up Church Street where you can then follow the ‘Coast Path’ waymarks and signs along another street on your right.

The path takes you over some dramatic cliffs with some wonderful views back to Gorran Haven and Menease Point, with the rocky outcrop known as ‘Gwineas’ or ‘The Gwinges’ out to sea.

Before you reach Turbot Point you will pass a Bronze Age tumulus and the remains of Roman earthworks.

Standing on Turbot Point on a clear day, the views extend along the South Cornish coastline, beyond Rame Head and Plymouth and into South Devon.

  1. The Path continues through a short section of National Trust land, known as ‘Bodrugan’s Leap’, and down to a small sheltered bay known as ‘Colona’.

This is a private beach owned by the impressive spread of houses in front of you on Chapel Point.

  1. Continuing along the Coast Path, you will soon come into Portmellon, with a pub and a beach. The inland route follows a public footpath in from an historic boatyard known as ‘Mitchell’s’ and continues past some wetlands – a good spot for birdwatching!
  2. Continue along the footpath, and through two nature reserves separated by an unclassified road.

Again, a good location for wildlife with coppiced hazel and oak woodlands and large ponds.

  1. The path will then take you through a meadow, over a stile and left up a very steep field which has been planted as a ‘Millennium Woodland’ by the local community.
  2. Continuing across a couple more fields and along a rough track you will pass the historic 12th century St Goran Church.

You will be able to stop for more refreshments at the pub or the small shop/post office in Gorran Churchtown.

  1. You can then follow the road and public footpaths across fields for the rest of your journey to Gorran Haven, down Bell Hill and Rice Lane, eventually arriving back at the car park.
To discover hundreds more walks like this, visit www.southwestcoastpath.com