Walk - Geevor Tin Mine Circular

Route Description

This walks links ancient and modern and shows the importance of tin for centuries. Start at Geevor Tin Mine Museum (part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site) where you can explore the history with a guide. Then take the Coast Path down to one of the loveliest coves on the North Coast, and up to Chun Downs to the ancient burial chamber of Chun Quoit, and the fort at Chun Castle, where tin was once smelted.

1. Leave the car park at Geevor and walk downhill passing the restored water wheel, the old spoil heaps and the entrance to the underground adit.
2. Join the Coast Path and turn right heading north over a footbridge. Pass the rocks called Avarack where there was once a bathing place in the rocks used by miners and their families. Follow the Coast Path uphill and down again to a stream valley.

You will see the big island, the Enys, on the seaward side and the coastguard cottages ahead.

1. Reaching the road at the coastguard cottages turn left and walk towards the lighthouse at Pendeen Watch. The Coast Path turns right in front of the lighthouse and heads east towards Portheras Cove with wonderful views ahead to Gurnards Head. Be careful not to drop down to Boat Cove but follow the Coast Path signs along the cliff above Portheras Beach.
2. When you reach the path to the beach the Coast Path heads inland across stepping stones; a detour to the beach is perhaps irresistible. Once you have crossed the stepping stones stay on the Coast Path climbing out of the little valley and heading inland.
3. After 100 yards of climbing you see signs to the left for the Coast Path and Morvah; ignore these and now leave the Coast Path continuing to head inland and uphill to the small farm at Chypraze. There is a beach car park here (£1 in the box).
4. Follow the lane up to the road (B3306) and when you meet the coast road turn right. After 500 yards you see a sign for Yew Tree Gallery (worth a visit if it is open). Here turn sharp left and walk along a sunken farm lane past the Keigwin farms.
5. After 500yds (where a waymark points to Chun Castle ahead) turn right up a rutted farm track. Stay on the track as it turns right again. When a house comes into view at a t-junction of tracks turn right, and continue upwards ignoring two other paths to the right.

If it is not misty you will soon see Chun Quoit (an ancient burial chamber) ahead. The view from the Quoit is spectacular. You can go on to visit the Iron Age fort of Chun Castle, then return to the Quoit.

1. Our route takes the first right path (a narrow track through the heather) from the Quoit on a bearing of 240 degrees. Aim for the rocky outcrop of Carn Kenidjack on the western horizon. Cross a field through two stiles and emerge on Woon Gumpus Common with a wide track leading directly to the car park on North Road (SW393334).

This track is easy walking in summer but can get very wet in winter.

1. From the car park on the road take the road straight ahead (due west), Trewellard Hill. After half a mile you reach Wheal Bal Farm on your left.
2. Take the wide track to your right over Trewellard Common. Ignore the right turn to Higher Trewellard Hill Farm and ignore the next right, keeping straight ahead with Pendeen Carn to your right.

Spread out below you see the village of Pendeen, with the church built by miners in the mid 19th century, the headgear of Geevor Tin Mine and, in the distance, Pendeen Watch Lighthouse. On a clear day you will see the Scilly Isles on the horizon over to your left.

1. Continue down the track past the houses of Jubilee Place to emerge on the road (B3306). Slightly to the left across the road is a path which leads back to Geevor Car Park.

Dogs are allowed on Boat Cove and Portheras Beach  throughout the year. Near to the start/end of the walk in Pendeen the Trewellard Arms Hotel, the Radjel Inn and the North Inn are recommended by users of www.doggiepubs.org.uk as serving good food and being dog-friendly.

Public transport

There are regular bus services to and from Geevor (the start of the walk) from Penzance, St Ives and St Just.  For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the bus stops, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

Parking

Geevor Tin Mine Car Park (Postcode for Sat Navs: TR19 7EW). Note that Geevor is closed on Saturday, but that you can park outside and walk through. Alternative car parks along the walk: Pendeen Watch, Chypraze Farm and Woon Gumpus Common.