A long and strenuous walk, and one of the best that we know.
For this walk, you need OS Landranger 200, Newquay & Bodmin.
Severity of walk
Port Isaac is a lovely fishing village and a good
place to start this walk. A few years ago, a chough was found at Pine
Haven just along the coast; unfortunately, several had been bred in captivity
and had been released without a licence, but it was nice to see it anyway.
The views from Kellan Head are superb: Westward, The Rumps can be seen,
while northwards you can see the radar station at Morwenstow beyond Tintagel
Island; on a clear day you may see Lundy. Port Quin lies at the end of
a long inlet of the sea, and is now just a few National Trust cottages;
but a pretty place to walk through.
Park the first car at Pentire Farm at the old leadmine, grid reference SW 942 800
Follow the B3314 from Wadebridge on signposted to Port Isaac, and turn
off on a minor road when you see a golf-club sign: This road goes straight
ahead while the main road has a sharp right-hand bend. Turn left at the
junction, then follow the signs to New Polzeath until you see a small
crossroads with a caravan site indicated on the left. Turn right, and
follow the narrow lane along, then down past farm buildings, then sweeping
up and left through a gate and cattle grid onto open ground. Follow and
look for the National Trust "Leadmines" car park. If you've
not been here before, take time to walk over the back and follow the short
path that leads to the coastpath. When you arrive here later, you'll know
where to turn off for the car park.
Park the second car in the car park at Port Isaac, grid reference SW 999 810
Retrace your path, this time keeping straight ahead after the Bee Centre, rejoining the B3314. Continue, turning left onto the B3267 to Port Isaac. Follow the car park signs to the right, towards Port Gaverne and turn into the car park on the left.
