Coastal Path Section (Porthtowan to Chapel Porth)

Things to do · Porthtowan

About Coastal Path Section (Porthtowan to Chapel Porth)

This stretch of the South West Coast Path links two north coast coves between Portreath and St Agnes. It starts at Porthtowan, where Cornwall Council's Beach Road car park (TR4 8AA) has 137 spaces, is open round the clock and is free between November and March, and climbs steeply onto the cliffs past old mine workings before dropping into the National Trust cove of Chapel Porth. Chapel Porth is a narrow sandy beach below steep slopes, with the ruins of Wheal Charlotte up the valley and the Towanroath engine house of Wheal Coates on the cliff above; at low tide you can explore the caves at the back of the beach. The Trust runs a car park there (TR5 0NS, free to members, paid via the JustPark app), with toilets including an accessible toilet and a tenant-run cafe, and seasonal lifeguards cover the beach in summer. Dogs are banned from Chapel Porth beach between 10am and 6pm from 1 July to 31 August but welcome on the path. Beach access is uneven and the valley and coast paths are steep, so this is a walk for reasonably fit people with proper footwear. A gentle 2.5 mile heathland loop from Chapel Porth to Towan Cross is an alternative. Allow an hour each way, or return inland for a circular route.

Good to know

• Section of the South West Coast Path between Porthtowan and Chapel Porth, both with car parks
• Beach Road car park Porthtowan TR4 8AA: 137 spaces, open 24 hours, free November to March
• Chapel Porth is National Trust, car park TR5 0NS free to members, paid via JustPark app
• Toilets including accessible toilet and a tenant-run cafe at Chapel Porth; seasonal lifeguards
• Dogs restricted on Chapel Porth beach 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August
• Steep paths and uneven beach access; caves to explore at low tide

Official site: Coastal Path Section (Porthtowan to Chapel Porth) website.