Walk - Rinsey Head Circular

Route Description

1. Leaving Rinsey Head Car Park, take the Coast Path heading east towards Porthleven with views stretching down the length of the Lizard peninsula.

The impressive Wheal Prosper engine house, built in 1860, stands before you – evidence that this area was once a hive of mining activity.

Continue along the Coast Path for ½ mile, rounding Trewavas Head, until you come to the junction with another footpath just south of Trewavas Farm.

1. Step over the stone block that serves as a stile and start to travel west. In front of you will be spectacular views of Mounts Bay and the Penwith peninsula. Continue along the path as it leaves the track and travels through a field to a stone stile. Cross over the stile and continue along the well-worn path.

You will have another opportunity to look down on the engine house at Wheal Prosper.

The path will take you into the heart of the old mining hamlet of Rinsey.

1. Walk along the road from Rinsey and head towards Ashton. Just past the last house in Rinsey you will find a kissing gate on the left.

Walk through it and continue along the path across a number of fields – keep a lookout for the old stone stiles in order to make sure that you are on the right track. Eventually you will come to the hamlet of Hendra.

1. At Hendra, turn left and follow the road as it heads down towards Praa Sands. You will be on this single track road for about ¼ mile so keep an ear out for oncoming traffic.
2. At the end of the road you will reach the far eastern end of Praa Sands beach and the opportunity to rejoin the Coast Path. Start to head back east to where you started.

As the path climbs up above Lesceave Cliffs you will yet again be able to see evidence of former mining activity.

Continue along until you eventually return to the car park at Rinsey Head.

Public transport

First bus services to Ashton or Praa Sands. For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the bus stops, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

Parking

Rinsey Head (Postcode for Sat Navs: TR13 9SQ).