| Great escapes: Cornwall 1 |
| The heritage walk |
| Our circular route takes in five and a half miles of the Penwith Heritage Coast, using a section of the South Weste Coastal Path. |
Picture Cornwall as the foot of England - the toe which dips into the Atlantic is called Penwith - a landscape hewn from granite. Our circular walk traverses fields, farmsteads and headlands, and is very much a journey back through the ages. Where moorland sweeps down to the coastal plain you'll find the village of Zennor. Its church, pub, barns, and farms crouching into the natural folds of the landscape to escape the worst of the westerly winds that whip in from the sea. A patchwork of small fields bordered by stone walls and banks separates Zennor and the B3305 St Just to St Ives road, from the sea. These fields have remained largely intact since the Bronze and Iron Ages, and are now classified as an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA). Ancient features such as the stone walls and Cornish hedges are also protected, together with areas of moorland, and provide a natural habitat for the wildlife here.
1. Zennor & the coast path
Zero your car's trip meter and leave Polmanter Caravan Park, turning right. Bear right at 0.3 miles at the Halestown Inn towards St Ives on the B3311. At one mile, turn left onto the B3306. At 5.4 miles, turn right, first left and right again into Zennor car park.
2. Tremedda Farm
On foot, turn leftout of the car park and walk up the hill. Immediately after the church, turn right by the railings, signposted 'Field path St Ives' and take the footpath over the fields, crossing several stiles, to weather-worn Trernedda Farm (within one mile).
3. Wicca Farm
Cross the farm track via two stiles, continue across open fields to the hamlet of Tregerthen and cross another track. Follow the narrrow, muddy track through thickets until it opens out into fields leading to Wicca Farm (at about two miles).
4. Treveal
Take the stile between the barn and the farmhouse, passing through the farmyard and continuing along the road. Just after Boscubben Farm, turn left down the track to Treveal. At the hamlet take the right-hand fork at the footpath sign where the track turns back on itself and leads down to a cattle grid.
5. Seal spotting at Mussel Point
Take the path, signposted River Cove, down the wooded valley to the stream where the path starts to rise and then descends to the coast. Veer left and follow the coastal path, which outcrop of rocks at the summit of Mussel Point.
This makes a great vantage point from which to watch the sea dash against the offshore Carrack rocks. By now you'll deserve a rest - the view westward is superb and down below is the Wicca Pool with its own granite outcrop, the Wicca Pillar. Looking further down the coast you will see Porthzennor Cove beneath Zennor Head. With a good pair of binoculars you may even spy one or two seals here. On a clear day, even further down the coast, a keen pair of eyes should easily spot the outcrop of Pendeen Watch, with its lighthouse.
6. Stepping out on the zig-zagway
Continue around Mussel Point and follow the path across open, grassy hillside. After a large boulder on the right, the path then drops steeply into a small valley.
Use the stepping stones to cross the stream.
Cross the stile and turn right along the coast. A path then zigzags steeply down. Continue along the flatter section for about half a mile, then follow the path inland as it climbs again, over one stream and onto another.
7. Spot the dolphins
Continue at the same level to a waymarker, where the path drops to the tight. Descend steeply and then begjn a long ascent to a cluster of boulders at the summit of the point. Continue along the broad, grassy track to Zennor Head. From here, a look back along the way you've walked and down at the sea will furnish a fantastic view of seabirds feedingat the shelf of Gala Rocks. It's also worth taking one final peek out to sea, for the chance of glimpsinga school of dolphins or even a pilot whale.
8. Return to Zennor
Head back inland toastile.
Follow the narrow path for 50 yards to where it meets the road above a white house. Take the road back to Zennor and the car park.
• Return to Polmarter the way you came, via the B3306 and the B3311.
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Distance 5.5 miles
Time 2-4 hours
Slart/finish Zennor car park, having
driven from Polmanter Touring Park Tenain Mainly unpaved coastal and
cross-field track, with some fairly steep sections
Suitable for the moderately fit
Refreshment
Kegen leg Fair Kitchen
Tel 01736788562
Drive for seven miles, southbound,
on the B33O6 into St Just and park your car in the market square to visit this delightful café. All items on the menu are home-made from freshly-cooked local food. Kegen leg isalsoa showcase for local artists' paintings, sculptures, tiles and cards.
Information
Stives
Tel 01736 796297
St Just
Tel 01736788669
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