It had been a little while since I had been in this area (here), over 18 months, which considering how much I enjoyed the last walk here is a bit remiss of me. Time to put that right and also pick another perfect day to walk the Roseland Peninsula. This area is definitely one of the highlights of the whole path so far, for me. Yes, the weather both times has helped, but it is a glorious area, stunning views, beaches, paths and some nice villages. This walk had it all, the blue seas, blue skies, stunning church, golden sands, butterflies and even a bit of war gun placements to top it off. Even then, there was more, we had a ‘bottling’ seal, a lighthouse and a little rabbit by the path. That will be the reason for the large amount of photos, alongside the distance walked which was almost 14 miles. Normally on a coastal walk that would be brutally difficult, but not here, the path undulates more gently, unlike other sections and the ground can be covered quite quickly. That said in the heat and with the views we took our time and enjoyed a perfect day out on the South West Coastal Path.
Start – Pendower Beach
Route – Creek Stephen Point – Porthbean Beach – Porthcurnick Beach – Portscatho – Greeb Point – Towan Beach – Porthmellin Head – Zone Point – St Anthony Head – St Anthony – Porth Farm – Rosteague – Treloan – Portscatho – Rosevine – Curgurrell – Pendower Beach
Distance – 13.5 miles Start time – 9.15am Time taken – 8hrs 30mins Highest Point – Curgurrell 79 metres
I’m stood by my parked car looking across towards Greeb Point which is sticking out beyond the village of Portscatho. The blue skies match the blue seas on this perfect day on the coastal path.Looking across Gerrans Bay towards Nare Head, with Carne Beach and Pendower Beach on the leftWe set off on a good path, first target would be PortscathoLots of butterflies today, a small copper rests on the path in the warm early sunshineGlorious, all the way to Greeb Point
Lots of foxgloves today as well
Lots of golden sandy beaches today along this stretchPorthbean Beach looking across to Nare HeadLinda heads down to Pednvadan Lookout Station with Portscatho to the rightAnother Small Copper, this time with its wings openPortscatho across the bayBefore you reach Portscatho, you head around the back of Portcurnick Beach, plenty of people already enjoying the sun and waterWhitewashed Portscatho cottagesAnd the small harbourHeading away from Portscatho now towards Greeb Head and I look back to Nare Head with Dodman Point sticking out beyond the island of Gull RockSpeckled WoodRounding Greeb Point we can see the next section of the path to Porthmellin HeadPassing a small field full of poppies Towan Beach, more golden sand, with Greeb Point, then Nare Head and Dodman Point as we near Portmellin HeadA ‘bottling’ seal. Never knew they did this when resting/sleeping. But the seal was just bobbing in situ like this. Whilst we were stood there we couldn’t work out if it was a seal, only on getting home and zooming in a bit to see its nose and whiskers could we be sure.Porthbeor Beach, couldn’t see any way down to this beach and the signed path has now been closed due to a cliff fall. Only safe way in is by boatPorthbeor Beach, a steep cliff, a boat and 2 or 3 people enjoying the isolation. Zone Point is over there and where we are heading nextGlorious colours on the beach of Porthbeor
Now I’ve been looking at this picture and the next one as I assumed it was a Common Blue butterfly but on closer inspection of the bottom photo it seems as though its a Silver Studded Blue
Silver Studded Blue, popular on coastal areas, certainly along the south coast and here on the Roseland at Zone PointSt Anthony Head now and the war gun placements, built in 1895 and used in both of the World Wars to defend the Fal estuary and the harbour of FalmouthCorn flowers at St Anthony’s HeadThe Fal Estuary with Pendennis Point across there with the castle and trees. Falmouth behind thatThe plaque at St Anthony Head
The lighthouse at St Anthony Head
The harbour and estuary here is huge, it still has plenty of beaches thoughAnd turquoise coloured covesTurning the corner to see St Mawes across the water, the coastal path here heads along this side to reach a ferry, which first heads over to St Mawes and then on to Falmouth. The next section of the path is through Falmouth so no need to get off in St Mawes, unless you fancy a bimble around there.St Anthony’s Church, this was built in 1150 and the inside is absolutely stunningThe yellow glass in the roof was casting a lovely light in hereThe Spry family have restored this church over the years and over 300 years of Spry family members have been buried here, many of whom are Sir’s, MP’s, Admirals and other dignitary. The Spry family owned the house next door as well.We climbed up away from St Anthony following first a lane and then a track with views down to the sea and Dodman PointSome lovely pastoral scenes inland here as we pick our way along the track towards PortscathoBunny rabbitBack in PortscathoGlorious late afternoon sunshine in PortscathoLinda walks through the wheat fieldsAnd looking back across the wheat fields to PortscathoFinal photo as we near Pendower Beach looking across Gerrans Bay at the end of a stunning walk. I might need a best 20 walks list this year, there has been so many already!
treksandtors 
Just beach after beach on this stretch, all looking so inviting for a swim – if I didn’t already know how cold the sea is in May!
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I have to say the Roseland Peninsula is stunning for coastline, two of my favourite walks on the coastal path have been here
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