Zennor to Gurnard Head
Part of section 27 in the SWCPA handbook
3.51 km along the coast and 4.96km inland
Zennor to River Cove
Part of section 27 in the SWCPA handbook
5.15km along the coast and 4.95km inland
We were moving on in the van to a campsite at Trevalgan, on the way to St Ives. So the plan was to drive to Zennor and get the bus back to Pendeen. However, when we got to Zenor, after a fairly relaxed start, according to our app, the only bus available was via Penzance and would take hours. So we decided to walk from Zenor West.
It is an easy walk from Zenor, down to the coastal path, then a typical, fairly strenuous section with good views in both directions. This section was surprisingly busy with groups, with leaders encouraging them. The views are spectacular particularly as you reach Gunard Head.
There is a path down to the end of the headland, however hoping to get some lunch at the Gurnard Head Inn. Although this has a lovely garden overlooking the sea, unfortunately it was a rather unfriendly pub, only offering formal meals inside, on a sunny Saturday lunchtime.
So we walked back to Zennor and made our own sandwich from the van. There had been a wedding at Zennor church and the wedding party, in formal cloths, contrasted with the walkers on the path.
In the afternoon we returned to the Coastal Path and headed East. This is one of the physically hardest sections that we have so far encountered, as you need to climb over boulders, and sometimes the best route is difficult to spot. However the views are impressive. There are not many “escape” routes to the inland paths so we continued to River Cove, where there is a good path inland to Trevail Mill and Boscuoben.
Then a long, but easy grass path back to Zennor. At Wicca Farm, we met a young man selling flap-jack, to help us on our way, which was welcome before spotting the tower of Zennor Church.
