GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Holywell to Crantock Circular Walk

7 miles (12 km)

This circular walk takes you from Holywell to Crantock on the Cornish coast. The route runs for about 7.5 miles, first taking you along the coastal path to Crantock before returning through the countryside.
The walk starts at Holywell at the sea front public car park. From here you can pick up the South West Coast Path and follow it north through the huge dunes to Kelsey Head. You continue round Porth Joke, Pentire Point West and Crantock Beach before entering Crantock village. The beautiful beach is owned by the National Trust and is a popular place for sand dune walks and surfing.
The route then heads west through the countryside to Treago Farm, Cubert Common and the Holywell Bay Golf Course before arriving back on the coast at Ellenglaze. The final section follows a path north along Penhale Sands before returning to the car park in Holywell.

Holywell to Crantock Circular Walk OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Holywell to Crantock Circular Walk Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

You can extend your walk on the Newquay to Crantock Walk which takes you north to the popular seaside resort.
To the north of Newquay there's Watergate Bay where you will find a wonderful 2 mile long surfind beach and a footbridge over to the splendid Porth Island headland.

Photos

A Glorious day at Holywell Bay - geograph.org.uk - 270333

A Glorious day at Holywell Bay

Kelsey Head - geograph.org.uk - 1441452

From Pentire Point looking towards Kelsey Head and the rocks known as The Chick

Porth Joke from Kelsey Head - geograph.org.uk - 690205

Porth Joke from Kelsey Head. This beach is apparently popular with surfers in the summer, but at the end of September it's very peaceful. It is accessible only by footpath from Cubert Common or around the coast path. Its name comes from the Cornish "porth lojowek" meaning "cove abounding in vegetation". In later Cornish this became Por Lejowak.

Cliff top on Pentire Point West - geograph.org.uk - 1313732

Cliff top on Pentire Point West. Looking north towards The Goose and on the horizon Trevose Head near Padstow. The cliff top here is a massive carpet of Thrift or Sea Pink (Armeria maritima) at this time of year.

Sand dunes, Crantock Beach - geograph.org.uk - 1844765

Sand dunes, Crantock Beach

Milk churns and phone box - geograph.org.uk - 2502948

Milk churns and phone box in Crantock village. The village lies to the south of the River Gannel which forms a natural boundary between the parishes of Newquay and Crantock. The river is tidal and ferries operate on a seasonal basis from Fern Pit to Crantock Beach. The village includes the historic St Carantoc's Church. The ancient church was founded in Norman times and was originally cruciform, but was reconstructed in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Tumulus on Cubert Common - geograph.org.uk - 1709575

Tumulus on Cubert Common. A large round barrow on the south edge of the common. Local tradition warns that any attempt to dig the barrow will invoke violent thunderstorms.

View towards Ellenglaze from Penhale Sands - geograph.org.uk - 780182

View towards Ellenglaze from Penhale Sands

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Holywell to Crantock Circular Walk.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')