Breathtaking hikes in and around St. Agnes Cornwall | Adventure Yogi
Hikes Around St Agnes
We have returned to Cornwall for our surf yoga retreat after a break, and we are so excited to share this adventure with you! We have relocated to the beautiful area of St Agnes. This area is known for its outstanding natural beauty and from the TV series Poldark, so imagine a dramatic coastline with crashing waves and stunning beaches. This is also the perfect area for some amazing walks and hikes with breathtaking views. Luckily there are some amazing hikes in St Agnes and the surrounding area.
Walks from Five Elements
Five Elements is situated within a nationally registered nature reserve or ‘County Wildlife Site’. From within the grounds, from an area we call ‘Soma valley view’ it is possible to get a lovely view over into the nature reserve and bathe in birdsong. From here, take a stroll on and left towards the stream, and then back up through a field gate towards the NE field we call ‘Guru’. After a round of that field, through another gate into the Easterly field known as ‘Surya’. At the opposite end of that field is another gate that leads onto the main access road to the main entrance to Five Elements. In all, this walk would take approximately 20-30 minutes.
Walks in and around St. Agnes
St. Agnes is a mesmerising village. On a warm, balmy day you can view the clear, turquoise waters from the heights of Trevaunance cove. When surrounded by ferns and the occasional palm tree, we have often thought how similar the feeling is to parts of the Caribbean!
There are many areas of interest to the village. The main village, known as ‘Churchtown’, includes a few lovely shops, and a beautiful church. The ‘Sorting office’ Coffee shop is a small but characterful place to hide out for a coffee or tea break. St. Agnes bakery opposite the church has all sorts of baked goodies. There is a distinct ‘upper’ and ‘lower’ part to the village, characterised by some very steep roads, notably Town Hill rd and Rocky lane. These pass through Trevaunance Cove and down onto St. Agnes beach.
There are some footpaths past some historical mining sites that connect the upper and lower parts of St. Agnes. These are signposted and are accessible either from Wheal Friend Lane past the Our Lady, Star of the Sea Catholic Church (on the right as you walk down) and from Rocky Lane itself, which usually has few cars due to the gradient.
Hike in St Agnes
At the bottom of Rocky lane, you will reach the Driftwood Spars Brewery on the right. Just opposite this on the left before the Driftwood Spars car park, there is the entrance to the SW Coast path towards Chapel Porth Beach. If you keep walking towards the Driftwood Spars pub, take a left and look out on the right for another sign for the SW Coast path (in the other direction, this will take you towards Perranporth.)
This whole area is part of the St. Agnes Heritage coast and is an absolute delight, whatever the weather! It’s a beautiful area with yellow gorse and purple heather, prominent features in the late summer months. The area also has a fascinating mining history with atmospheric coastal ruins dating from the early 19th century. It is often referred to as Poldark country because of the associations with the historical novels by Winston Graham and the television series starring Aidan Turner. After exploring the headland the route then climbs inland to St Agnes Beacon. The hill stands at a height of 189m (620 ft), commanding fabulous views over the surrounding coast and countryside.
Hike St Agnes Beacon and Wheal Coates – 3.0 miles/4.9 km – Easy-moderate
The walk begins from what was a bustling Army Camp in WW2 but has now been reclaimed by the heather. There is a gentle climb to the Beacon from which there are spectacular views in every direction. The walk then returns via some of Cornwall’s most photographed engine houses at Wheal Coates, perched on the cliff edge.
Vital statistics
OS Explorer: 104
Distance: 3.0 miles/4.9 km
Grade: Easy-moderate
Start from: St Agnes Head car park
Parking: St Agnes Head car park. Satnav: TR50ST
Recommended footwear: walking boots, or trainers in summer
Highlights
Iconic engine houses and mining relics at Wheal Cotes
Views along the coast to Porthtowan and Portreath
Spectacular 360 degreee panoramic view from St Agnes Beacon
Vibrant art scene and traditions including Bolster Day and the World Bellyboarding
http://www.iwalkcornwall.co.
St Agnes to Trevellas Porth – 3.1 miles/4.9 km – Moderate
A circular walk along the stream of Trevellas Coombe where tin ore is still worked using traditional water power, past Stippy Stappy – the row of sea captain’s cottages. We then walk down the valley to the sandy beach of Trevaunance Cove with the remains of Victorian harbour which was demolished by Atlantic storms.
Vital statistics
OS Explorer: 104
Distance: 3.1 miles/4.9 km
Grade: Moderate
Start from: Trevaunance Cove car park
Parking: Trevaunance Cove car park. Satnav: TR50RX
Recommended footwear: Walking boots
Highlights
Sandy beach at Trevaunance Cove and rockpools at TrevellasPort
Bird’s eye views of Trevaunance Cove and St Agnes from Downquay Gardens and Coronation Walk
Iconic engine houses and mining relics surrounding St Agnes
Pretty wooded valley of Trevellas Coombe with a cascading stream
Historic pub and local brewery at the Driftwood Spars
http://www.iwalkcornwall.co.
Porthtowan to Chapel Porth – 4.7 miles/7.5 km – Moderate
A circular walk from Porthtowan, along the coast, valleys and woodland passing engine houses and other relics of Cornish copper mining.
Vital statistics
OS Explorer: 104
Distance: 4.7 miles/7.5 km
Grade: Moderate
Start from: Porthtowan beach car park
Parking: Porthtowan beach car park. Satnav: TR48UD
Recommended footwear: walking boots
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
Riverside walk through broadleaf woodland along Banns Vale
http://www.iwalkcornwall.co.
Perranporth to Trevellas – 5.4 miles/8.7 km – Moderate
A circular walk past the remains of Alfred Nobel’s dynamite works to the red-and-yellow ore-rich cliffs above the wreck of the treasure ship Hanover. We return via the spitfire base, along Perran Coombe where a 2 mile leat once carried water to power a massive waterwheel in a chamber within the cliffs.
Vital statistics
OS Explorer: 104
Distance: 5.4 miles/8.7 km
Grade: Moderate
Start from: Perranporth beach car park
Parking: Beach car park, or cliff car park if full. Satnav: TR60JN
Recommended footwear: walking boots
Highlights
Huge sandy beach at Perranporth
Panoramic views of Perran Bay from Droskyn Point
Snorting blowholes at Shag Rock
Rugged coast at Hanover Cove
A colourful history including battles between mines, nitroglycerine, and a shipwreck laden with gold bullion
Britain’s best-preserved spitfire base
http://www.iwalkcornwall.co.
Callestick and Ventongimps – 6 miles/9.7 km – Moderate
A circular countryside walk past the nature reserve at Ventongimps and the engine house of West Chyverton mine, with refreshment opportunities at both Callestick Farm, where you can see the ice cream being made, and Healey’s CyderFarm who offer tours and tastings.
Vital statistics
OS Explorer: 104
Distance: 6 miles/9.7 km
Grade: Moderate
Start from: the lay-by in Penhallow
Parking: Lay-by in Penhallow, Satnav: TR49LT
Recommended footwear: Walking boots
Highlights
Insect-eating plants in the Ventongimps Moor Nature Reserve
Engine house, wildflowers and martian landscape of West Chyverton Mine
Tours and tasting at Healey’s Cyder Farm
Watch the Ice Cream being made at Callestick Farm
Wildflowers and butterflies in the fields and along the lanes in Spring
http://www.iwalkcornwall.co.
Hike St Agnes – Chapel Porth to St. Agnes – 6.1 miles/9.8 km – Moderate
A circular walk, this hike in St Agnes takes you along the coast between the golden sandy beaches of Chapel Porth and Trevaunance
Vital statistics
OS Explorer: 104
Distance: 6.1 miles/9.8 km
Grade: Moderate
Start from: Chapel Porth car park
Parking: National Trust car park. Satnav: TR50NR
Footwear: walking boots, or trainers in summer
Highlights
Sandy beaches with excellent surf at Chapel Porth and Trevaunance
Rockpools at St Agnes and caves at Chapel Porth
Iconic engine houses and mining relics at Wheal Cotes
Panoramic views from the Coast Path around St Agnes Head
Historic pub and local brewery at St Agnes
Vibrant art scene and traditions including Bolster Day and the World Bellyboarding
http://www.iwalkcornwall.co.
Hike St Agnes – Portreath to Tobban Horse – 6.8 miles/10.9 km – Strenuous
A circular walk along the rugged coast from Portreath towards Porthto
Vital statistics
OS Explorer: 104
Distance: 6.8 miles/10.9 km
Grade: Strenuous
Start from: Lighthouse Hill car park
Parking: Lighthouse Hill car park. Satnav: TR164LH
Recommended footwear: Walking boots
Highlights
Rugged coastline overlooked by the “lighthouse”
Wildflowers and wildlife on the coastal heath and along the wooded tramways
Mining heritage and minerals on the waste tips
Sandy beach at Portreath
http://www.iwalkcornwall.co.
Keep up to date with our retreats in beautiful Cornwall and hopefully, you can join us on a hike in St Agnes soon!