Porthleven to Rinsey Head circular walk

Porthleven to Rinsey Head

A circular walk from Porthleven to the cliff-edge engine houses of Rinsey Head and Trewavas where the under-sea mine, set out with tables and food for the annual Tribute dinner, is said to have been breached by the sea just minutes before all the miners were due underground.

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Download the (free) app then use it to purchase this walk.
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The app will direct you to the start of the walk via satnav.
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The app guides you around the walk using GPS, removing any worries about getting lost.
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The walk route is described with detailed, regularly-updated, hand-written directions.
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Each time there is a new direction to follow, the app will beep to remind you, and will warn you if you go off-route.
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A map shows the route, where you are at all times and even which way you are facing.
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Each walk is packed with information about the history and nature along the route, from over a decade of research than spans more than 3,000 topics.
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Once a walk is downloaded, the app doesn't need wifi or a phone signal during the walk.
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The app counts down distance to the next direction and estimates time remaining based on your personal walking speed.
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We keep the directions continually updated for changes to the paths/landmarks - the price for a walk includes ongoing free updates.

either as a GPS-guided walk with our app (£3.29) or a PDF of directions (£2.79) Example of directions

The route follows the edge of Porthleven Harbour and joins the coast path in The Wrestling Fields. The walk then follows the coast past the Giant's Rock and beaches of Porth Sulinces and Breage to the granite dykes of the Megiliggar Rocks. The walk continues on the coast path to the huge balanced block of granite on Trewavas Head and then follows a permissive path through the middle of one engine house and past the others before rejoining the coast path to Wheal Prosper on Rinsey Head. The return route is relatively quick and easy, across the fields and along a small lane.

Highlights

  • Historic harbour of Porthleven
  • Sandy beach at Porthcew
  • Engine houses at Trewavas and Rinsey Head
  • Good chance of seeing choughs

Considerations

  • Stiles include 4-6ft stone walls which are climbed via stone footholds.
  • Route includes paths close to unfenced cliff edges.

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Vital statistics

  • OS Explorer: 102,103
  • Distance: 6.8 miles/10.9 km
  • Steepness grade: Moderate-strenuous
  • Recommended footwear: Walking shoes, or trainers in summer
  • Pub: ✓
  • Café: ✓

OS maps for this walk

Click or tap on map for more info (blue=laminated)

Pubs on or near the route

  • The Harbour Inn
  • The Ship Inn

either as a GPS-guided walk with our app (£3.29) or a PDF of directions (£2.79) Example of directions

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