- Difficulty
- Challenging
Moderate to strenuous
- Start
- Newquay
- Finish
- Perranporth
- Length
- 12.6 miles (20.2 km)
- Summary
After leaving Newquay harbour, keeping a lookout for the Kittiwake colony on the cliffs out to Towan Head, the Path crosses the famous Fistral Beach. The route across the River Gannel varies depending on the season, tide and weather conditions and therefore you will need to plan ahead. Either way there is plenty to see, including beautiful salt marsh plants and many species of wading birds enjoying the worms and crabs.
The West Pentire headland is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its breathtaking seasonal wildflowers such as the June poppies and corn marigold flowers in the arable fields overlooking Crantock Beach.
Fantastic views of the seabirds around the offshore twin pyramids of Carter’s Rocks await around the next headland as you approach the dunes of Holywell and Perran Sands. Walking across the dunes can be quite tiring, but if the tide is right out you can walk to Perranporth across the beach.
- Public Transport
The easiest way to reach Newquay is by train, from where you can catch a bus to Perranporth. For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the train station and bus stop symbols, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.
- Nearest car park
Newquay (Postcode for Sat Navs: TR7 1PF), Towan Head, Fistral Beach, Pentire, West Pentire, Holywell and Perranporth.
- Nearest toilets
Newquay, Towan Head, Fistral Beach, Pentire, Holywell and Perranporth.
- Nearest refreshments
You can stock up on refreshments at the beginning of your walk in Newquay, which has numerous restaurants, shops, pubs and cafes to choose from. Establishments that serve local produce include Taste of the West members The Headland Hotel on Fistral Beach which serves locally sourced fresh produce in their Sand brasserie or restaurant, Rock Island Bistro, Alexander Road, Porth, Newquay: a family run restaurant overlooking the beach, , and Morris Pasties, with their award winning Cornish pasty selection. Further refreshments can be found at Pentire, Holywell Bay and Perranporth. For locally sourced produce you may like to try Taste of the West member The Green Parrot pub in Perranporth.
