The remainder of section 22 in the SWCPA handbook
7.73km along the coast and 5.46km Inland
After a cold front went through during the night, giving rain, but the morning was much brighter and sunny, but with a cold North wind.
There are various routes across the Gannel, the river to the South of Newquay, and as it was low tide in the morning we thought that we had time to cross there and back before the water would cover the “tidal bridge” at about 2pm. So we parked near the centre of Newquay and walked down the streets to the tidal bridge. Although described as a tidal bridge, it is more of a quite long route across the sand with a boardwalk that crosses the river channel.
On the other side at Penpol we met some horse riders and followed them up a road which leads to the pretty village of Crantock. It even had a stand with milk churns waiting to be collected.
From there we followed a series of tracks, often through more static caravan parks and deserted campsites awaiting children for their Easter holidays. After passing an isolated National Trust car-park (Free for members but £2 in an honesty box for others) Then down to where we left the Coast Path yesterday afternoon.
So around Pentire Point West, a slightly lower and easier headland than Kelsy Head where we were yesterday, though there was a cold wind on the headland. We slowly got more shelter from the wind and descended onto the sand. As it was still quite low we were able to walk across Crantock Beach and reach the tidal bridge with only a couple of places where we had to cross rocks.
It was about 1pm when we crossed the tidal bridge, and we stopped an had lunch overlooking the bridge. Although the tide was rising slowly it looked as if the estimate of 2pm was about right, which was good as the high-water route is quite long and returns beside the main road.
We returned to our car and then walked along Fistral Beach and past the dramatic (and no doubt expensive) Victorian Headland hotel and then down to the harbour. We could see some of the other beaches in Newquay, but that will have to wait for another trip.
