North Cliff, Red River Nature Reserve, Hell's Mouth Circular

Starting at the most easterly National Trust (free) car park before Bassett Cove, walking down into Combe and following the Red River, which is now a Nature Reserve, then following the trail back to Hell's Mouth and then the South West Coast Path to the start.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.48 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 119 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 128 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 84 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 18 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the car park, head south, cross the B3301 to the designated footpath, and continue on the path, passing two gates, sets of two crossing cattle walkways. At the bottom of the path, turn left on the road, continue down the hill, cross the bridge and turn right. Walk on the road to a small bridge on your right.

(1) Turning right and then left onto the footpath, stay on the path until it meets a small ford and road. Cross the ford, turn left, to the farm entrance on the right. Proceed up the hill, passing the old farm 'Menadarva', to the field gate.

(2) Walk northwesterly up the hill through another set of gates. The path follows the edge of crop fields to the edge of a field through the hedge.

(3) At this point, the wooden gate was hanging on one hinge. Continue following the crop field to the final stile onto a road, turn left, heading southwesterly past the large farm building. The path is on the right. Continue following the hedge and crop fence to the bottom of the hill.

(4) Through the gate, walking across the wooden walkway, and through the trees, up the steps. Turn right, continue to the rear of the cafe, cross the B3301, and take a small climb to Hell's Mouth.

(5) There are signs and barriers to warn of a sheer cliff. Now on the South West Coast Path, turn right and northeast following the path back to the car park and start point (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 82 m - National Trust Car Park (4)
  2. 1 : km 1.07 - alt. 24 m - Bridge to join Red River Nature Reserve
  3. 2 : km 2.94 - alt. 31 m - Farm Gate
  4. 3 : km 3.38 - alt. 72 m - Farm Gate
  5. 4 : km 4.48 - alt. 42 m - Wooden Walkway
  6. 5 : km 4.99 - alt. 58 m - Hell's Mouth
  7. S/E : km 7.48 - alt. 81 m - National Trust Car Park (4)

Practical information

  • Start: This walk's starting point, The National Trust Car Park (4) - W3W>>>
  • Parking: Vehicle parking - Along the length of North Cliff and by the route, and the Southwest Coast Path.
  • Timing: The time taken is estimated; allow extra time, when appropriate, for exploring and personal pace.
  • Note: Ensure that the highway code is followed and that dogs are kept under control. Keep off the field where crops are growing, stay on the path. There are some farm electrified fences, and secure any gates as found.
  • Wellbeing: Wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the conditions. Although this is only a short walk, keep hydrated.
  • Accessibility: There is one stile, but with an adjacent farm gate. This route has been assigned "Easy" due to a reasonable footpath to follow and distance.
  • Refreshments: There is a convenient Cafe at Hell's Mouth, about halfway around.
  • Handrail: is a linear feature that has been identified as a road, wall, etc.
  • Option: This is a circular route that can be walked either way.

In the nearby area

  • Hell's Mouth Cafe - seasonal opening times
  • Tehidy Country Park
  • Godrevy Lighthouse
  • St Ives Bay - 3 miles of golden sand

Other walks in the area

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.