Note the coastal surveillance station located at the western tip of Cape Cornwall: the National Coastwatch Institution is an organisation made up of volunteers whose role is to monitor the coastline and report any anomalies to the relevant official authorities. Take a few minutes of your time to chat with these enthusiasts about their role and the latest incidents (fortunately on the decline) in recent years.
The return via Kenidjack Valley will change the scenery slightly for 1.5 km.
Please note: shortly before km 3, the coastal path is a little challenging. You can avoid this section by taking the path that climbs to the left at point (3).
Cape Cornwall
From Pendeen Lighthouse (small free car park) at the northern tip of the parish of St Just, the walk follows the coastal path to Cape Cornwall.
Cape Cornwall, while not strictly the westernmost point of England, is much more appealing than Land's End for nature lovers.
The main feature of this route is that it passes through a series of old copper and tin mines that operated from around 1820 to the end of the 20th century: Geevor (the museum site is slightly further east), Levant (visits by appointment), Crowns, Bottalack, Wheal Owles, Wheal Edwards, and Kenidjack Valley.
You will learn that copper was mined before tin and that some sites also extracted a considerable amount of arsenic.
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 14.18 km -
Average duration: 5h 00 -
Difficulty: Moderate -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 335 m -
Descent: - 336 m -
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Highest point: 111 m -
Lowest point: 10 m
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Country:
United Kingdom
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City:
St Just -
Start/End: N 50.164347° / W 5.670791° -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 49 m - Pendeen Lighthouse
- 1 : km 0.38 - alt. 69 m - Start of the trail
- 2 : km 1.47 - alt. 36 m - Trewellard Bottom's
- 3 : km 2.8 - alt. 56 m - Challenging section
- 4 : km 4.33 - alt. 89 m - Shafts
- 5 : km 5.53 - alt. 42 m - River
- 6 : km 6.98 - alt. 30 m - Cape Cornwall
- 7 : km 9.03 - alt. 90 m - Kenidjack Farm
- S/E : km 14.18 - alt. 48 m - Pendeen Lighthouse
Other walks in the area
Chun Quoit and Carn Kenidjack
Visorando Member 6.58 km
+79 m
-77 m
2h 05
Easy
Departure from St Just (Cornwall)
This pleasant amble across the inland moors of Cornwall includes a number of ancient monuments including Chun Quoit, Chun Castle, the Dancing Stones and the Boslow Stone.
Porthmeor Cove and Gurnard's Head from Carn Galver mine
Visorando Member 
7.77 km
+249 m
-249 m
2h 55
Easy
Departure from Zennor (Cornwall)
This circular walk uses a section of the South West Coast path leading to Porthmeor Cove and Gurnard's Head before you go back to the beginning following paths across farmlands close to Porthmeor.
Cape Cornwall and Kenidjack Valley from St Just in Penwith
Visorando Member 
8.29 km
+186 m
-188 m
2h 55
Moderate
Departure from St Just (Cornwall)
This circular walk explores Cape Cornwall by the coastal path, less touristic than Land's End but wild and well protected. You will discover as well old mine shafts along the coast including Kenidjack Valley and Wheal Owles.
Chapel Carn Brea
Visorando Member 
1.26 km
+28 m
-28 m
0h 25
Easy
Departure from St Just (Cornwall)
This very short and easy access walk climbs gently to Chapel Carn Brea overlooking the surrounding countryside. Enjoy the views from this important landmark, the most westerly hill in Britain!
Zennor Head, Tregerthen and Trevean from Zennor village
Visorando Member 
10.01 km
+211 m
-209 m
3h 30
Moderate
Departure from Zennor (Cornwall)
This circular walk from the lovely village of Zennor explores the coast path (with several ascents and descents in rocky paths) and uses also paths inland during the return route.
Zennor Quoit and Trendrine Hill
Visorando Member 
4.26 km
+72 m
-76 m
1h 25
Easy
Departure from Zennor (Cornwall)
This easy circular walk leads to a beautiful ruined megalithic burial chamber and continues to Trendrine Hill viewpoint.
Nanjizal Beach, Land's End and Mayon Cliff from Sennen.
Visorando Member 
9.24 km
+238 m
-241 m
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from Sennen (Cornwall)
During this circular walk, you will discover this famous headland in another way exploring the beautiful wild coast including the secluded Nanjizal Cove, Enys Dodnan Arch and Mayon cliffs.
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