The remainder of section 34 and a small part of section 33in the SWCPA handbook
8.8 km along the coast and 10.4 km inland
We had driven in Frodo to a campsite on the edge of Porthleven and so had a short walk down to the harbour before starting today’s walk. So started walking North along the coastal path out of Porthleven and a path lead us over a headland to Loe bar a shingle and sand barrier beach that separates Cornwall’s largest lake “The Loe” from the sea.
From here we took an inland route, a track with a steady climb to the tiny village of Gunwalloe. Not much further along there was a pub marked on the Ordnance Survey map. We were not very hopeful as often pubs seem to be closed either temporally or permanently, whoever we were pleased to find “The famous Halzephron Arms” (it says famous on the sign) not only open, but a very pleasant place to stop for a break.
Not much further on we came across Halzephron House, a rather austere looking castellated house perched on the edge of the cliff. A minor road took us over the headland and down to Church Cove. Here where we swam yesterday, there was a handwritten sign saying “Please don’t go into the sea as there have been a number of incidents recently” – it was much rougher and so we headed their warning.
We had a look inside the aptly named “Church of Storms” which has some intricate wood carvings inside then, after a picnic on the beach, started heading back along the Coastal Path.
Initially the Coastal path goes around a headland to Halzephron Cliff and then goes on the seaward side of Halzephron House and then to a few houses at Gunwalloe, then follow a fairly easy route above the almost 3 miles of Porthleven sands which morphs into Loe Bar. Although the sandy beach, which was almost deserted, looks inviting there a various signs warning of strong currents.
After Loe Bar, it is not far before you get to the edge of Porthleven, and initially “The Institute” which dominates the end of the harbour. Then around the pretty harbour and back to the campsite
