Pendeen to Gurnard’s Head

/ 2 hours ago 27/05/2026

So after completing 13 miles the day before, you’d think we’d take it easy. Not so for myself and Linda, we headed for tougher terrain and a similar distance the next day, with a fantastic walk from Pendeen to Gurnard’s Head. The weather was superb again and as we pulled up at Pendeen car park (which we free to park) we donned our boots and headed for the coastal path. We’d been to Pendeen before, finishing here on a walk from St Just, before taking a bus to Penzance (here), we had been looking forward to returning since that day. Before long we were stood on the cliff by Pendeen Watch (lighthouse) staring along the stunning coast, across chimneys and ground strewn with mining history. We stopped for a coffee to admire the scenery, little did we know that it would be the first of 5 stops along the coastal section alone, we struggled to walk more than a mile before stopping to rest and admire! Just around the corner was Portheras Cove, Linda took one look at the beach and it was obvious that we needed to drop down to the sands. What a stunning place. Saying anywhere is the best beach/view/mountain/city I’ve ever been on will depend on lots of things, such as people, weather, how you are and other factors. For us this was it, two others on the beach, perfect white sand, turquoise water, warm, sunny, blue skies, everything. We’d only walked 20 mins since the last stop, but we were having 30 minutes or more on this beach for sure, perfection. We hauled ourselves away and climbed to Morvah cliffs and onwards to Trevean Cliffs and a lunch stop around Long Carn. After refuelling we got our heads down and quickly arrived at Bosigran Castle, an old settlement, high on the cliffs. Another quick stop and then on to Porthmeor Cove and finally Gurnard’s Head. Here we turned inland to Treen and the plan was to pick up the track that handrails the B3306 road, cows blocked out route almost immediately, so we chose to ignore the track and walk the verge along the road all the way back to Pendeen. Naturally it took around 2 hours to walk the whole way back, with 5 hours and 30 minutes for the outward route, showing the disparity in walking a coastal path, compared to a straighter, flatter route back. We headed into the North Inn in Pendeen for a well earned refreshment and something to eat. It was a superb end to a glorious day.

Start – Pendeen

Route – Pendeen Gate – South West Coastal Path – Pendeen Watch – Portheras Cove – Morvah Cliff – Trevean Cliff – Bosigran Castle – Porthmeor Cove – Gurnard’s Head – Treen – B3306 – Higher Porthmeor – Carn Galver Mine – Rosemergy – Morvah – Higher Bojewyan – Pendeen

Distance – 11.5 miles   Start time – 10.30am  Time taken – 7hrs 30 mins  Highest Point – 76 metres Carn Galver Mine 141 metres

Weather – Lots of sunshine and warm

© Crown copyright 2026 Ordnance Survey FL 2026 SF
Starting off down the lane and looking back to Pendeen, one open pub, spar shop, chip shop, church and miles of coastline around it
Pendeen Watch (lighthouse) comes into view shortly after leaving Pendeen
Then there was this view as we arrived at Pendeen Watch, so we had a coffee stop and admired the scenery. The chimneys in the distance are part of Geevor Mine and Levant Mine (with its working Beam engine)
Pendeen Watch
About 5 minutes after the last photo. Gurnard’s Head is away in the distance on the left but ahead is Portheras Cove
Linda checks that we can get help if needed, it works so that’s good. We then looked at the beach and headed down
It was glorious, within a minute I had my boots off and went in for a paddle, we sat on the beach in silence just taking the place in. There was another couple doing the same. Perfect time to be here
I didn’t take too many photos on the beach, but the memory will stick. Better get a wiggle on as it was after midday at this point and we’d been out for nearly 2 hours and done around a mile!
Carn Bean behind Pendeen as I look inland a little
Our route onwards across Morvah Cliff
The small mine buildings on Morvah Cliffs
Basking Red Admiral
Sea Campion
Lunch time as we reach Long Carn, looking back along our route so far
Long Carn up to the left as we carry on for Bosigran Castle
Quick look inland with Watch Croft on the right and Carn Galver left, the Carn Galver Mine chimney can be seen and we will be there later
Passing Bosigran Castle gives better views to Gurnard’s Head, but still a bit to do to get there
Porthmeor Cove from the cliff of the same name, lovely yellow gorse up here contrasting the blue sea
And some bluebells as we near Gurnard’s Head
Gurnard’s Head, we would walk to the end of the wall on the right and then head inland
The point where we turned inland, Pendeen Watch looks a long way away, the point sticking out the most!
The B3306, we had tried to walk the path between here and the coastal path but too many cows meant we binned the idea and figured the road would be much quicker as it was already 4.30pm by this point.
Watch Croft behind Carn Galver Mine, we rested here for a bit to take on some liquids as it was pretty warm
I took few photos along the road, but we did divert to Morvah, another stop off to have the last of our coffee/squash. Not far to go now
The Radjel Inn, currently closed which is a shame as the reviews were good
So we headed into the North Inn for some liquid refreshments. I’ve already looked at the walks I’ve done this year and I’ll struggle to keep my best walks list under 10 this year, this one will be on it I’m sure

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