Moderate – Easy
19 September 2025
The South West Coast Path from Portreath to Hayle is a varied and scenic stretch of Cornwall’s coastline, combining rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and wide dune systems. Starting in the historic harbour village of Portreath, the walk follows dramatic headlands with sweeping Atlantic views before easing into the vast sands and dunes of Gwithian Towans. Ending in the estuary town of Hayle, this section of the SWCP offers a mix of coastal drama and expansive golden beaches, making it a memorable and rewarding stage of the trail.
Points of Interest: Portreath to Hayle
Here’s what to look out for along the way:
Portreath Harbour & Breakwater
Once a bustling port for shipping tin and copper ore, Portreath’s harbour and stone breakwater set the scene for the walk.
“Pepperpot” Daymark Above Portreath
A white-painted daymark used by sailors to identify Portreath from the sea, still standing on the clifftop.
Carvannel Downs & Navern Point
Clifftop remnants of the mining era, with far-reaching views back toward Portreath and forward along the Heritage Coast.
Hell’s Mouth & Deadman’s Cove
A sheer cliff drop into a dramatic chasm; nearby Deadman’s Cove recalls grim tales of shipwrecks. There’s also a clifftop café with a view.
Navax Point & Seabird Cliffs
Wild headlands where kittiwakes, fulmars, and guillemots nest; seals can sometimes be spotted in the coves below.
Mutton Cove Seal Colony
A sheltered beach below the cliffs, home to a large colony of grey seals — best viewed quietly from above, especially at low tide.
Godrevy Lighthouse & The Stones
An iconic 19th-century lighthouse on its rocky island, immortalised by Virginia Woolf, marking the northern tip of St Ives Bay.
Gwithian Beach & Towans Dunes
Miles of golden sands backed by rolling dunes, popular with surfers, dog walkers, and birdwatchers.
Hayle Estuary & Harbour
An RSPB reserve alive with wading birds and wildfowl, leading into Hayle’s historic harbour — once a major centre for foundries and engineering.
Logistics
| Sleep Dog Friendly Accommodation | The Star Inn, St Erth, near Hayle |
| Eat & Drink | The Star Inn The Cornish Arms, Hayle Philps Bakery |
| Park | Foundry Square Cash, Card or Pay by Phone available £6.70 all day It’s a short walk from the Railway Station and Bus Routes |
| Travel Transport from Hayle back to Portreath | GWR Train at 9:03 Hayle to Redruth then 49 bus at 9:32 Redruth to Portreath |
There are various options, but a change in Redruth is always needed. There are half hourly services of both the T1 and T2 buses from Hayle to Redruth with a journey time of around an hour. The 49 service from Redruth to Portreath is hourly and takes around half an hour.
I opted to catch the train from Hayle and then the bus to Portreath as it was a lot quicker.