Cornwall
14.5km/9 miles 6 hours
1SW666200 This walk makes use of the local bus for a linear route along the cliffs on the west side of the Lizard Peninsula. Start the day by parking at Poldhu Cove and take the narrow lane running along the south side of the bay. The route is signed as the South West Coast Path and for most of the walk it’s simply a matter of keeping to obvious clifftop trails whilst enjoying the sea air and the wheeling sea birds. Much of the route lies within the Lizard National Nature Reserve, with a wealth of flora and fauna. The cliffs turn south at Poldhu Point and shortly afterwards pass the Marconi Centre (free admission, varied opening times), built in 2001 to celebrate the centenary of the first pioneering transatlantic radio messages. Continue along Angrouse Cliff, pass a monument to Marconi and descend past a white cottage to cross the stream at Polurrian Cove.
2
SW668188 Continue south, uphill on a flight of steps, to meet a track with a line of houses on the left and carry on for 500m until Mullion Cove comes into view. This is a classic Cornish fishing hamlet and breakwaters protect the exposed harbour. Walk down steps, cross the quayside and follow the path signs up to Mullion Cliff. Continue out to Higher Predannack Cliff, crossing streams, to stand above an inaccessible rocky inlet called The Chair. Pass over a stile and continue around Lower Predannack
Cliff and Parc Bean Cove and after another
1km reach Vellan Head, where the cliffs are the highest of the walk. Flat coastal heathland has now replaced the pattern of enclosed fields and pasture.
3
SW668148 The path turns south-east and after 1km crosses a steep gully at Soap Rock, leading onwards to Kynance Cliff and the descent, via steps, to scenic Kynance Cove, with tidal Asparagus Island forming a bookend to the beach. Steps climb east out of the cove, from a shingle beach below the cliffs, but these can be cut off by the tide – a simple alternative route follows the track up the valley next to the café.
4
SW686132 Back on the clifftops, keep to the right of the National Trust car park and keep ahead on the signed path. Cross a valley at Caerthillian Cove, with more steps, and continue south for another 1km to Lizard Point. Look out for the choughs! The cliffs now turn east and the path drops through another steep inlet, with steps, to emerge by the lane and car park next to the most southerly point.
5
SW701115 Keep on the South West Coast Path for another 100m, with the lighthouse looming ahead, and take a permissive path on the left. Another permissive path then runs parallel to the lane for 800m and leads into the heart of Lizard village. The bus stop is by the crossroads next to the green.