South West Coast Path: Part 4 Porthtowan to Hayle

A breathtaking view of a rugged coastline with turquoise waters and rocky cliffs under a clear blue sky.

Porthtowan to Hayle - 26km 7 hours

Total so far: 75km, 8.5% of the South West Coast Path

17th July 2026

The intense pinky-purple carpet of heather against the turquoise sea is a view that's forever etched in my brain. This dry, hot stretch has delivered the calmest seas and some of the most incredible scenery yet. 💜💙

Walking in this heat definitely takes a bit more planning, hydration and sun protection but it is INSANELY beautiful.

This is going to be hard to beat as the start of my South West Coast Path adventure. I still haven't had a cloudy, misty or rainy walking day... they'll come and I'll look back on these halcyon summer days appreciatively.

The day started with a proper downy-uppy section. Part of the coast path had slipped away at the cliff edge, so I had to scramble up a steep sheep path to avoid the sketchy bits. The gorse also declared war on my ankles despite my boots. 🥾🌿

From Portreath to Gwithian, the path was surprisingly wide, flat and gentle, with very little undulation.

I'd hoped to spot the seals in Gwithian but the tide was too low. But reaching the bay beyond the seal look out, I kicked off my heavy boots and thick socks and walked barefoot all the way along the beach to Hayle. Feet in the sand, waves around my ankles... absolute bliss.

My feet have never been happier although they are starting to feel like they've done 75km!

Lessons from the Coast Path

• Sometimes getting to the path start point is the hardest part. (1.7 miles later)

• When the route becomes unclear... apparently follow the sheep. 🤪🐑 (Might not take this bit of advice on)

Favourite things 💙

• Turquoise water

• Salty, sandy, FREE toes

Least favourite thing 😅

• Edgy cliff paths

Now that I'm nudging towards the 10% completion mark only 900-odd kilometres to go things are shifting. The walk itself is beginning to feel a little less about concentrating on what I'm doing. I'm no longer constantly thinking about getting from A to B, whether I've packed everything, or what lies around the next corner. Instead, I finally have the headspace to take a bit more note of all I'm seeing.

On this route, I was absorbed by all the butterflies dancing along the paths. They seem to be absolutely thriving in this glorious heat. So far I've spotted Peacocks, Red Admirals, Commas, Large Whites, Orange Tips, Gatekeepers and Common Blues. Some identifications are more confident than others. It's hard to be certain when your glimpse lasts only a flutter or a sip of nectar before they're off again!

The coastal strip is bursting with wildflowers. There seems to be a real effort to restore meadow land along parts of the route. Judging by the abundance of butterflies, it feels as though it's working in nature's favour.

Seeing them has unlocked a childhood memory. When I was about seven, I remember marching into school happily reeling off butterfly names, completely convinced that everyone knew them. It came as quite a surprise to discover they didn't! Looking back, I realise that growing up with a nature-loving, science-teaching mum meant I absorbed far more about British wildlife than I ever appreciated at the time. It's funny how those little seeds planted in childhood quietly bloom decades later, somewhere along the Cornish coast path.

If you'd like to support my fundraiser for Plymouth Cornwall and Cancer Fund