Walk - Mevagissey to Par

10.7 miles (17.2 km)

Mevagissey Par

Challenging - Strenuous to easy

The day begins in the fishing town of Mevagissey, but try not to spend too long wandering the streets and waterfront as a Path of roller coaster climbs awaits! High cliffs pass rocky coves between Pentewan and Charlestown produces dramatic scenery, but tiring walking. The inland china clay works around St Austell come in and out of view. The clay industry boomed in the 19th century, resulting in the formation of the ‘Cornish Alps’, and continues today with 80% used to make paper.

There are many steps to climb along this stretch as the Path continues to rise and fall past Phoebe’s Point and Silvermine Point. Charlestown, with its beautiful historic harbour and quay, provides a welcome spot for rest and refreshment before the final stretch of the journey to Par. A diversion around china clay works at Par, leads you to the pubs and cafes and large expanse of beach at Par Sands.

There are a range of wonderful places to lay your head near the Coast Path for a well-earned sleep. From large and luxurious hotels, to small and personable B&B's, as well as self-catering options and campsites. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

The Cove

We are a family run cafe and comfortable en-suite bed and breakfast in the pretty coastal village of Pentewan, over looking the village square.

Menagwins Farm

Pop-up site with direct path to SWCP. Cold showers, composting toilet & spring water.

Mevagissey Bay Hotel

We believe we have probably the best hotel location in the Mevagissey Bay area with stunning sea views perfectly placed for the coastal path.

Eden's Yard Backpackers

Eden's Yard is a modest rural backpackers hostel located close to the Eden Project and 1.8 miles from SWCP - from £15 pp.

Snowland Leisure

Holiday Caravans, Touring Site, Diner, Gym & Bar

The Crow's Nest 38

The Crow's Nest is a self contained apartment just a few yard from the SW Coast path. A touch of luxury after a day walking.

Par Bay B&B

Par Bay B&B is a large house overlooking St Austell bay. The B&B accommodation is on the second floor of the property & has a king size bed. Single Night Stays Welcome

The Conifers Self Catering Apartment

The Conifers is a new, self catering flat in Par Duck Pond Nature Reseve, 1.1 miles from the coastal path. It has a galley kitchen, double bedroom and bathroom.

2a Coastguard Cottages Gorran Haven

Cosy Cornish Coastguards cottage located directly on the SW Coast Path. Sleeps 4, dog friendly, stunning views, log burner, parking for 2 cars, near shops & restaurants.

You'll be spoilt for choice for where to eat and drink along the Path. With lots of local seasonal food on offer, fresh from the farm, field and waters. Try our local ales, ciders, wines and spirits, increasing in variety by the year, as you sit in a cosy pub, fine dining restaurant or chilled café on the beach. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Pier House

Georgian-era property offering unfussy rooms, plus an informal restaurant and bar.

Coast Path Cafe

Right on the Coast Path at beautiful Gorran Haven. A village co-operative, we serve fresh, local, homemade food with wonderful harbour views.
What is on your list of things to do when you visit the Path? From walking companies, to help you tailor your visit, with itineraries and experts to enhance your visit, to baggage transfer companies and visitor attractions there are lots to people and places to help you decide what you'd like to do. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Mevagissey Tourist Information Centre

Pop in to find out what's going on in and around Mevagissey and also browse Hurley Books bookshop

Interactive Elevation

Highlights

  • Stocking up on refreshments in the interesting, narrow streets of Mevagissey.
  • Views of undulating fields and white stretch of Pentewan Beach beyond.
  • The extensive views from Black Head: a humped, windswept promontory which is the site of an Iron Age cliff castle. There is a memorial stone here to the Cornish poet A.L. Rowse.
  • Walking through the woodland which runs down to Hallane Mill Beach: a good place for a picnic.
  • The woodland of Ropehaven Cliffs: a Cornwall Wildlife Trust Reserve and a good place to spot nesting fulmars. According to the CWT, fossils found in the rocks here indicate that 400 million years ago Ropehaven lay beneath tropical seas.
  • Emerging from the trees at Ropehaven to fantastic views of the Path twisting around the cliffs ahead.
  • Charlestown: Charlestown Harbour still remains relatively untouched by development and so has been a very important film and TV location over the years. It was used in the filming of the 1976 World War II drama The Eagle Has Landed, the 1975-77 romantic drama Poldark and the 1970's series The Onedin Line. The Shipwreck Treasure Museum on Quay Road has many artefacts from shipwrecks and one of the largest underwater diving equipment collections in the country. Open from March to November from 10.00-17.00, Tel: 01726 69897.
  • The National Coastwatch Station on Landrion Point.
  • Exploring the dunes of Par Sands.
  • Views ahead from Polmear to Gribbin Head.

Shorter option

Charlestown (7.3 miles, 11.7 km).

Longer option

Fowey (an additional 6.8 miles, 10.9 km).

Public transport

You can catch a train to Par, from where you can get buses to Mevagissey and Pentewan. 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.

Parking

Mevagissey (Postcode for Sat Navs: PL26 6UQ), just before Gwendra Point, Porthpean, Charlestown, inland in St Austell and Par.

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