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Gorran Haven - Dodman Point Walk

2.17 miles (3.5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This circular walk explores a wonderful headland on the Cornish coast. The area is located near the village of Gorran Haven and is the highest headland on the south coast of Cornwall. There's splendid coastal views, pretty beaches, lovely countryside and lots of wildlife to look out for.
The walk starts from the Penare car park, about half a mile south of Dodman Point. From here you head west towards Hemmick Beach with wonderful views across Veryan Bay to the west. You then pick up the South West Coast Path to take you up to Dodman Point. Here you will find a large granite cross, placed here in 1896 as a navigational aid to seafarers. From the elevated headland there are fabulous views towards the Roseland Peninsula. Look out for wildlife including Dartmoor ponies, peregrine falcon, stonechat and gannet.
The walk can also be started from the nearby village of Gorran Haven if you prefer. It's about a 2 mile walk from the village along the coast path to the point. It will take you past the lovely Vault Beach and the delightful Gorran Harbour.

Dodman Point OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Dodman Point Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

If you would like to extend your walk you can follow the coast path north to Mevagissey on the Gorran Haven to Mevagissey Circular Walk. Here you can pick up the Mevagissey Walk which uses part of Pentewan Trail and the coastal path to create a circular walk around the village. The picturesque fishing village is also well worth exploring with its photogenic harbour and interesting narrow streets full of quaint old shops and pretty cottages. Near here you can also visit the stunning Lost Gardens of Heligan. The gardens are a real highlight of the area and include Victorian Productive Gardens, romantic Pleasure Grounds and a lush sub-tropical Jungle.
Head west along the coast path and you could pay a visit to the worthy village of Portloe. The village has a lovely harbour and a fine 17th century seaside inn to investigate.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cornwall Walks page.

Photos

Dodman Point (geograph 2425653)

Dodman Point

Blouth Point and Dodman Point (9177)

Blouth Point and Dodman Point

Hartriza Point and Dodman Point (9219)

Hartriza Point and Dodman Point

The Watch House, Dodman Point (geograph 2428023)

The Watch House, Dodman Point

Looking along the SWC towards Boswinger - geograph.org.uk - 2124147

Looking along the SWC towards Boswinger

Cross on Dodman Point - geograph.org.uk - 2100994

Cross on Dodman Point

The harbour, Gorran Haven - geograph.org.uk - 25786

The harbour, Gorran Haven. Composite panorama of the harbour wall at Gorran Haven, with Turbot Point in the distance. The walk could be started from this pretty village just north east of the Point.

Vault Beach, south of Gorran Haven - geograph.org.uk - 25793

Vault Beach, south of Gorran Haven. Looking west along the beach from the coastal footpath above Cadythew Rock. The beach (apparently also called Bow Beach) has relatively few visitors as it is only possible to get there by walking along the steep coastal footpath around Maenease Point from Gorran Haven harbour. This end of the beach (and the rest of Maenease Point) is in the care of the National Trust.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

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

Memory Map Route

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