Walk 6 - Circular Walk, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall 6 Miles (Approx)

This past weekend we returned from a weeks holiday in Cornwall.  We based ourselves in a small village called Mawgan Porth which lies on the northern coast between Watergate Bay and Padstow.


We were really lucky with the weather, only two bad days out of eight which gave us plenty of opportunities to fit in a couple of decent walks.


Our first walk was based from the door of our caravan.  

There is plenty of parking in Mawgan Porth behind the shop and bakery and its relatively cheap considering its Cornwall.  After parking up head to the road in front of the shops and turn right .  After about 75mtrs turn right at the T junction and head along the road in front of the pitch and putt.  This is the view you should see in front of you:

Carry on along the road keeping on the footpath for about 200mtrs.  As you pass Marver Caravan site on your left take a look and see if you can see us pitched up, you never know :-)

There is a breakaway path to the left which is covered in bark chippings, this is a dog walk for people staying at the exclusive holiday park. Follow this path which crosses the entrance to the holiday park and turns into a gravel path that runs alongside the very posh chalets.


As you walk along the gravel path, the view back should look like this:

After approx 100 mtrs the gavel path comes to an end and you take the path through the trees to the right signposted St Mawgan:

Follow the footpath through the trees for approx 1/2 mile until you come to a small, private caravan park.  Walk on the road with the caravan park on your right until you reach a road up a small incline.  Cross the road and take the path into the farm yard opposite.  The path is well marked into the farm yard and out to the right of the farm buildings.


The footpath remains well marked and goes into the small village of St Mawgan after approx 1 mile.


As you reach the village of St Mawgan take the main road through the village to the right heading towards the Church.  This is the view down the main street:

We had to take time out of the walk as we reached the river as Milly insisted on having a swim:

The building on the left in the photo is the village craft shop and is well worth popping in providing someone stays outside with the wet dog!


As you go over the bridge opposite is the village church; turn right up the road which sweeps around to the left and up the hill.  After about 300 mtrs there is a footpath on the right which is signposted Trevarrian.  Take the footpath that runs alongside the cemetery.  The footpath has high sided hedgerows on both sides to start off with then after a short while the path opens into open fields.

Follow the path that continues to gently climb up to Trevarrian.  We had a couple of problems with the stiles as due to lambing there was no access through the stiles for dogs so it was a case of carrying Milly over the stiles and as she was still wet through from her swim in the river, I wasn't too impressed having to walk around all day smelling of wet dog!


After the third stile the path takes a sharp left then a right, its not signposted but is pretty obvious.

Carry on as the path makes its way through some recently planted woodland (above).


After a while the village of Trevarrian comes into view, the map shows the footpath going across the middle of open fields but we discovered the field in seed so we had to skirt around the edge to the stile on the opposite side of the field.  

Go over the stile and over the road to the stile opposite and into the field, following the footpath to the next stile and onto the road.  You then need  to turn right and walk along the road heading toward the village.  


We decided to stop in the village and take lunch in the pub, The Travellers Rest (be a shame not to given the name of the pub and I did feel the need to try the local brew).


If you choose not to partake in refreshment, walk past the front of the pub and after about 100 mtrs  take the the road to the left signposted Watergate Bay.  You only stay on the road for a short time.  When you come to a road on your left, opposite is a gate on your right which is an unmarked footpath that takes you to the coastal footpath.  After a few hundred metres the sea comes into view:

Follow the path until you reach the coastal trail.  You will know when you reach it as if you go to far you will be over the cliffs and onto the beach way, way below.  As you reach the coastal trail you are greeted with a view of Beacon Cove which sits between Watergate Bay and Mawgan Porth:

Its worth doing the whole walk just to take in this view, believe me.


Turn right onto the coastal trail and head back towards Mawgan Porth.

The footpath does become a bit ropey in places and does venture very close to the edge so care should be taken.   After about half a mile the beautiful big cove of Mawgan Porth comes into view:

Follow the path heading toward Mawgan Porth, the path goes alongside a couple of cottages, be very jealous of the views the residents of these cottages have.


The footpath meets up with the main road into Mawgan Porth, turn left and head back to the car park.  I would recommend a quick beer in the Merry Moor pub if the better half is driving, a walk along the beach is a must, particularly if the tide is out.

This is a really nice walk, taking in woodland, open countryside and coastal footpath, something to suit everyone.  Its not difficult, in fact its very easy going, the only pain for us was the stiles as we came out of St Mawgan.  Other than that it was stunning,  highly recommend this one.


Thanks for reading and if you are ever down this way, give it a go and let us know what you think.


Cheers,


Mark, Diane and Milly