Cawsand - Penlee Point - Rame Head - Polhawn - Whitsand Bay - Cawsand

Dave Pawley

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This is a really splendid circular walk and is perhaps one of the best-known walks for regular walkers in the area. It has something for everyone: beautiful coastal section with a few ups and downs to a walk up to a very old chapel which sits high at the top of Rame Head offering 360-degree views around this magnificent headland, the first major headland that seafarers pass when heading down the channel to Cornwall. There is another headland, very different in its own way from Rame Head but quite spectacular nevertheless, particularly when approached up through the trees from Cawsand, as you will on this walk. You are walking through trees one moment before emerging onto a completely open coastal path with Penlee Point directly below you to your left. Nestling away initially out of sight is a splendid old folly, well worth a slight detour to see such a splendid old building with lovely framed views. The walk along to Rame Head is excellent and easy going. If you are lucky you may spot the deer which wander below you through the gorse, grass and bracken-covered steep descent to the rock and the sea.

When you reach Rame Head, a climb up to the top of the headland to visit the 10th Century chapel and to enjoy the views, is not to be missed. It is an ideal spot to have a break at the top, sitting beside what was the concrete base for a radar station in the war.

Leaving Rame Head, the route continues along the coast path to the corner of Whitsand Bay, again wonderful views on offer and on by the old Palmerston Fort of Polhawn until you reach the coastguard cottages just beyond. There you follow a track up and away from the coast to the road back to Cawsand. The last section of the walk is across fields on the descent to the valley back to Cawsand, where you finally join the road for the last 400 metres back to the car park. Don't go without exploring Cawsand and its sister village of Kingsand; there are several pubs, two beaches, shops and narrow roads. If you leave without the final bit of exploring you'll be missing a treat.

England - South West England - Cornwall - Coast

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Pub, Sea, Toilets, Wildlife

7/30/2023 - Stephen Harris

Walked 18.07.2023 (almost 10 years since we last walked it!) - Walk directions still correct (a few stiles are now gates, but updates are now with WW admin). This is a fantastic walk with so much to see. It's worth heading down to the beach area at WP6, there are a series of concrete steps and if the tide is out you can get right into the little caves, it's so nice to explore. The rest of the walk gives fantastic views and great walking on good coastal paths. Highly recommended 10/10

6/7/2019 - Paul James

Walked this route on 6/6/19. Route is easy to follow and all the instructions are still valid. It is a fantastic walk and well worth completing. One warning for Dog owners - Cawsand beach has an Apr - Oct dog ban and there is nowhere else on the route where you are at sea level, so in hot weather be aware that there is nowhere for them to go to cool off.

7/27/2013 - Stephen Harris

Walked this 20th - 27th July 2013. Directions all ok, some stiles are now kissing gates but the directions were perfect. This was a very nice walk with lots to see all the way. Highly recommended. 10/10