GPS Cycle and Walking Routescycle iconwalk icon

Cape Cornwall Walk

4.35 miles (7 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This stunning coastal walk visits the beautiful Cape Cornwall and the Botallack Mines near St Just. There is a National Trust car park right next to the headland from which this walk starts. You pick up the South West Coast Path and head around Cape Cornwall passing the lovely Priest's Cove and the remains of St Helen's Chapel. There are great views towards the Isles of Scilly and Land's End.
You continue along the coast to Kenidjack headland where there is an Iron Age Cliff Castle, pretty wildlfowers and rare breed cattle.
The next section follows footpaths along the coast and inland, exploring the fascinating ruins of the Botallack Mines. The mines were worked for tin and copper for over 500 years and include the Wheal Edward engine house and the Crowns engine houses. It's a great place for taking photos of the old ruined mining buildings with the backdrop of the coast and cliffs. You can also stop in the village of Botallack for refreshments before the return leg. The route then takes you through the countryside past Kenidjack Farm and Boscean, before picking up the coast path to return you to the car park.
The long distance Zennor Churchway and Tinners Way passes the area so you could pick up this trail to further explore the area. The circular walk offers splendid views of the Cornish countryside and coast around St Ives and St Just.

Postcode

TR19 7NL - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Please click here for more information

Cape Cornwall OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Cape Cornwall Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Dog Walking

The coastal path makes for a fine, bracing dog walk.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head south along the coast path and you could visit two of the highlights of the area at Sennen Cove and Lands End.

To the north is the Geevor Mine and Levant Mine near Pendeen. Levant mine is notable as the only Cornish beam engine that is still in steam on its original mine site. The Levant engine sits in a small engine house in a dramatic location on the edge of the cliffs.
Just to the south is the lovely Cot Valley at Porth Naven. The secluded valley is a fine place for a stroll with a picturesque stream and lots of wildlife to see.
A few miles to the east you can pick up the Penwith Moors and Men-An-Tol Walk. This fascinating walk visits several ancient sites including Men-An-Tol standing stones and the Lanyon Quoit dolmen. You'll also pass the remains of the old Ding Dong Mines and climb to the fine viewpoint at Carn Galver.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cornwall Walks page.

Photos

Walkers sit on Cape Cornwall - geograph.org.uk - 2106196

Walkers sit on Cape Cornwall

The ruins of St. Helen's Chapel, Cape Cornwall - geograph.org.uk - 2106157

The ruins of St. Helen's Chapel

Looking south from Cape Cornwall - geograph.org.uk - 2106178

Looking south

The path to Cape Cornwall - geograph.org.uk - 2106135

The path to Cape Cornwall

Cape Cornwall Reefs - geograph.org.uk - 1498406

Cape Cornwall Reefs. A heavy sea over the reefs off Porthledden Cove taken from what is pretty much the extremity of Cape Cornwall

Cape Cornwall - geograph.org.uk - 216204

The house, now a holiday cottage, was one the local Mine Captain's house.

Priest's Cove and Cape House, Cape Cornwall - geograph.org.uk - 221997

Priest's Cove and Cape House

Coastwatch Station, Cape Cornwall - geograph.org.uk - 221992

Coastwatch Station

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Cape Cornwall.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Cape Cornwall.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)