Porthtowan to Chapel Porth circular walk

Porthtowan to Chapel Porth

A circular walk from Porthtowan, along the coast, valleys and woodland, passing engine houses and other relics of Cornish copper mining.

Get the app to guide you around the walk

Phone showing walk for purchase
Download the (free) app then use it to purchase this walk.
Phone showing Google navigation to start of walk
The app will direct you to the start of the walk via satnav.
Hand holding a phone showing the iWalk Cornwall app
The app guides you around the walk using GPS, removing any worries about getting lost.
Phone showing walk directions page in the iWalk Cornwall app
The walk route is described with detailed, regularly-updated, hand-written directions.
Person looking a directions on phone
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.
Phone showing walk map page in the iWalk Cornwall app
A map shows the route, where you are at all times and even which way you are facing.
Phone showing facts section in iWalk Cornwall app
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.
Person looking at phone with cliff scenery in background
Once a walk is downloaded, the app doesn't need wifi or a phone signal during the walk.
Phone showing walk stats in the iWalk Cornwall app
The app counts down distance to the next direction and estimates time remaining based on your personal walking speed.
Person repairing footpath sign
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

From Porthtowan the walk follows the Coast Path to the remains of the engine house at Wheal Charlotte and crosses the copper lode to Chapel Porth with spectacular views along the coast to St Agnes Head. The route turns up the Chapel Coombe valley, passing the engine house of Charlotte United Mine and follows a footpath to the ridge at Towan Cross. The walk descends again to Banns Vale where it follows the wooded stream. The final leg follows the valley from remains of the Tywarnhayle mine to the sea, passing Wheal Ellen's castellated chimney and other mining relics.

Highlights

  • Long, sandy beaches at Porthtowan and Chapel Porth
  • Iconic engine houses and mining relics
  • Minerals and crystals along the footpaths
  • Panoramic views from the Coast Path
  • Vibrant art scene and traditions including Bolster Day and the World Bellyboarding Championship
  • Riverside walk through broadleaf woodland along Banns Vale

Considerations

  • Route includes paths close to unfenced cliff edges.

Buy walk

Sign in to buy this walk.

This walk is in your basket. Proceed to your basket to complete your purchase.

My Basket Remove from basket

You own this walk.

Price: £

Buy now Add to basket

An error occurred while checking the availability of this walk:

Please retry reloading the page. If this problem persists, please contact us for assistance.

Reload page

Vital statistics

  • OS Explorer: 104
  • Distance: 4.7 miles/7.5 km
  • Steepness grade: Moderate
  • Recommended footwear: walking boots
  • No stiles: ✓
  • Pub: ✓
  • Café: ✓

OS maps for this walk

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

Pubs on or near the route

  • The Unicorn

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

Please recycle your ink cartridges to help prevent plastic fragments being ingested by seabirds. Google "Empties Please" to get freepost bags.