Walk - Bedruthan Steps Easy Access

0.8 miles (1.2 km)

Carnewas NT car park PL27 7UW Carnewas NT car park PL27 7UW

Easy - The path is level and well surfaced for most of the route but there are a number of steps leading down to the Bedruthan Steps lower viewpoint making this section impassable for wheelchairs and even trampers.

A short, stimulating trail at one of the most iconic destinations on the North Cornish coast. Parking in the National Trust Carnewas car-park this trail takes you out onto the South West Coast Path with sea views from Newquay past Park Head to Trevose Head. A more detailed version of this walk complete with pictures can be found at phototrails.org

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.

Higher Pendeen Camping

Advanced bookings only - Award winning, rustic, family-run, friendly, off-grid and ecologically considerate back to basics site with five pitches and Bell Tents.

Penlan B&B

Situated 250m from Porthcothan Bay beach close to the Coast Path, midway between Padstow and Newquay on bus route. Twin ensuite .

YHA Treyarnon Bay

Just 50m from the sea and 10m from coastal footpath offering private rooms, bell tents, pods and pitch up. Licenced Bar and Cafe. Perfect place to rest your head.

Penhalonga B&B

Family run B&B, full English breakfast. Single nights. Dogs welcome. Call Liz

Coastal Valley Camp and Crafts

Gold award winning rustic family eco campsite. Woodfired Horsebox catering Food and Cocktail barn. Holistic yurt. Topped off with Platinium awarded toilet and showers

Parkdean Resorts Newquay Holiday Park

An action packed site with 3 outdoor pools. Close to Newquay's 11 unforgettable beaches.

Porth Sands Penthouse

Porth Sands Penthouse is a beautiful romantic beach apartment, situated right on Porth Beach in Porth, Newquay, Cornwall, with stunning views across the bay

Tregella Place Camping

Basic rural site with some facilities. 10 min drive from Padstow

Trewan Hall Campsite

Located between Newquay & Padstow, find a unique campsite in a historic location, ideal for exploring the best of North Cornwall.

Sunny Corner

Close to the sandy beach. Double/twin bedrooms both ensuite includes full breakfast, wifi, parking. Min 2 nights
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.

Carnewas Tearooms

The family run Carnewas Tearooms and Garden is on the coastal path overlooking Bedruthan Steps with views onto Parkhead.

Jampen Cafe Newquay Football Golf

Licensed on the cliff Cafe on Trevelgue Head. Surrounded by beaches. Beach huts also available from £10.00 per day. We also have football and crazy golf for the energetic

Beach Box, Morgan Porth

situated by the beach, we welcome you year-round with locally-made food and drinks from our St Minver prep kitchen. Enjoy a variety of options indoors or outdoors with stunning views. We offer vegan and GF options. so, come and say hi.

Beach box Harlyn Bay

We offer parallel views of the bay paired with delicious fresh food and drink all year-round. We can serve up an array of amazing alcoholic drinks. We also have vegan and GF options available for our drinks, cakes, food, and homemade gelato.

Interactive Elevation

Route Description

Parking in the National Trust Carnewas car-park (PL27 7UW - fee payable for non-National Trust members) this trail takes you out onto the South West Coast Path with sea views from Newquay past Park Head to Trevose Head. The path is level and well surfaced for most of the route but However, the higher viewpoint still gives stunning views of the sea stacks of Bedruthan Steps. Beware of the cliff edge which is unfenced in places.

  1. From the car park, facing the sea, follow the path to the left of the toilets and cafe out towards the cliffs.
  2. Fork right at the first junction of paths before taking the left hand fork at the red sign.

The car park has toilets, a shop and a popular tea room (open weekends only from November to March).

  1. Follow the path before turning left along the South West Coast Path. The path eventually passes through a Cornish Hedge. This is a good place to stop and turn around.

According to the Cornish Hedge website the typical Cornish hedge is a stone-faced earth hedgebank with bushes or trees growing along the top. It is called a "hedge", never a "hedgerow" or "wall". The hedges may be of bare stone encrusted with lichens and mosses, or disappear under luxuriant greenery. Between these extremes are many variations, depending on the type of stone used, the local climate and the style of farming. Hedges are Cornwall's largest semi-natural wildlife resource and its most prominent landscape feature.

  1. Retrace your steps back along the SWCP, passing the original path form the car park. Continue on the SWCP until the path leads down some steps to Bedruthan Steps.

There are a number of steps leading down to the Bedruthan Steps lower viewpoint making this section impassable for wheelchairs and even trampers. Bedrutan Steps take their name from a giant called Bedruthan who used the stacks as stepping stones forming a short-cut across the bay. However it is claimed by some, that this is just a story made up in the late 19th century when it first became a tourist attraction, and 'the steps' actually take their name from the cliff staircase used to access the beach (swimming here is also hazardous). The staircase is not accessible during the winter months.

  1. At this point either return to the car park by the main path.

Visitors in the spring and autumn will be treated to carpets of flowering squill as well as the stonechats and linnets often seen here. The popular café is open most of the year but check for winter opening times. The buildings are a reminder of Carnewas' industrial past when iron, copper and lead was mined from the cliffs.

Public transport

The relatively frequent Western Greyhound bus service number 556 links the coastal villages between Newquay & Padstow. The bus stops at the Bedruthan House Hotel.

Please check timetable details by visiting Traveline or phoning 0870 6082608.

Parking

Carnewas NT car park PL27 7UW

Nearby Events

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