Part of Section 40 in the SWCP handbook
12 km along the coast and 9.5 km inland
Again the weather did not too promising, with rain and wind forecast for 1pm. So rather than walk along the coast from East to West, we though that it would be safer to walk along the coastal path in the morning and return inland, which was mostly roads as the weather worsened.
We were staying in “Lime Kiln” an interesting conversion which is part of the Caerhays Estate and let as a holiday retreat. It is right in the beach, and Coastal path at West Portholland. So we started directly from the house. The first part follows the minor road to East Portholland, which is slightly larger than its Western brother, but also mostly owned by the Caerhays Estate. It may be possible to walk along the beach between the two at very low tide, but today it was high tide and pretty rough.
Then we followed the path to Porthlune Cove, where there is an extensive car-park, completely empty today, and obviously some beach cafes etc, but nothing functioning today and all the tables stacked up. However to the left there are views of Caerhays Castle, which has extensive gardens open when the Camelias are in flower.
Then another steady climb and a good section of coastal path before descending again to Hemmick beach. Most of the path was good, except where cows had decided to follow it and churn up the mud.
From here another steady climb, and again a good path to Dodman head, where there is a granite cross, constructed in 1896, so the blocks must have been moved by horse and cart. From here there is a good path most of the way to Gorran Haven, except for a quite steep ascent just when we could see the houses of Gorran Haven.
It started raining just as we got to the village, so after a quick picnic lunch we returned to “Cakebreads” for a coffee and a little while in the dry.
We returned to Porthlune cove on a series of minor roads and footpath, and although it rained most of the way, it was not as heavy as it started, then followed the coast path back to West Portholland, where we were glad of a hot shower and a cup on tea in Lime Kiln.
