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- National Trust Carnewas and Bedruthan…
This short walk along the National Trust’s Carnewas at Bedruthan coast path has fantastic views of North Cornwall’s famous rock stacks, or ‘steps’.
This iconic stretch of coastline is known for its breath-taking views of the huge rock stacks that stride along the shore at Bedruthan beach. Bedruthan is said to be the name of a mythological giant who used the rocks as stepping stones.
This dramatic clifftop walk continues to the relative shelter of Port Mear cove. Along the way you’ll pass Park Head, the site of several Bronze Age barrows and an Iron Age cliff castle.
Carpets of gorse and other flora cover the clifftop along the trail. Birds nesting from March include linnets, stonechats and skylarks. You might also spot sea birds including the fulmar and the brightly beaked oyster catcher.
At Port Mear, Trevose Head and its lighthouse stretches away to the north. You can either retrace your steps here or cut inland along the valley towards the NT Park Head car park before re-joining the coast path above Bedruthan beach. There’s a shop and a tea-room back at the National Trust Carnewas car park.
If you’d like to take a closer look at the rock stacks, a staircase leads down to Bedruthan beach (steps are closed during the winter). Care must be taken to avoid being cut off by the tide which comes in very quickly and it’s unsafe to enter the sea here at any time.
Carpark: Carnewas, Bedruthan near Padstow, Cornwall PL27 7UW
Nearest Train (or tube) Station(s):
Newquay, Bodmin Parkway
Local Information
Read the Countryside Code before venturing out
Make sure to take a map and compass, and know how to use them before going into our National Parks #BeAdventureSmart
Tips for New Walkers: click here to download (PDF).
Remember to prepare properly before heading out on any type of walk or outdoor activity. Tell people where you are going and what time you are expected back. As Wainwright says "There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing".