Perranporth to Portreath Coastal Walk

11.5 miles (18.5 km)

This walk follows the coastal path from Perranporth to Portreath.
The 11.5 mile walk exposes you to Cornwall’s dramatic mining heritage and rugged coastal scenery. Starting from the bustling sands of Perranporth, you immediately climb toward Droskyn Point, where a Millennium Sundial marks traditional Cornish time, which sits 20 minutes behind GMT.... The path then leads you through the stark, mineral-stained landscape of Cligga Head, where the ground turns white and grey from former open-cast mining and the cliffs are home to rare Greater Horseshoe bats.
As you continue, you will navigate a series of strenuous ascents and descents, particularly around the steep valleys of Trevellas Porth and Trevaunance Cove, which offers a welcome spot for refreshments at local pubs like the Driftwood Spars. One of the most iconic sights follows at St Agnes Head, where the stone ruins of the Wheal Coates engine house perch precariously on the cliff edge above the turquoise waters of Chapel Porth. After descending into Chapel Porth—famous for its surf and "hedgehog" ice creams—the trail climbs again toward Porthtowan, another popular surfing beach. The final stretch involves more undulating cliff-top walking past Sally’s Bottom before the white “Pepperpot” daymark comes into view, guiding you down into the historic harbour village of Portreath.