South West Coast Path: Part 6/7 Pendeen to Porthcurno

Maya Plass
23 hours ago
2 min read

Updated: 7 hours ago

Woman with backpack stands on a rocky cliff overlooking a calm sea under cloudy sky; a small boat is on the horizon. — Emma gazing out at the ocean for whales and sea birds.

SWCP Part 6 & 7

Porthcurno → Land's End 10km

Pendeen → Sennen Cove 14km

Total so far: 125km 12% of total SWCP

For Part 6 I was joined by Emma - my walking buddy, support vehicle driver, ham roll maker, snorkel companion, pace setter, wildlife spotter and merriment enhancer.

Most of my solo walks have been about getting the miles done, building fitness and getting home to the boys (partner and dogs Otter and Weasel) as quickly as possible. I'd been racing past calm seas, sunny beaches and incredible coastlines without really stopping to enjoy them fully.

After an early morning wrestling with bus timetables and not being able to escape the campsite before 7am, we eventually made it to Porthcurno. After discovering that when Emma texted asking if I was bringing my bins, I launched into a detailed explanation of campsite rubbish disposal. She actually meant binoculars.

The walk itself was another beauty. Plenty of uppy downys and "surely that's the last hill..." moments, but this time we paused on the headlands scanning for whales and seabirds with her bins.

We explored a stunning beach through a dramatic rock tunnel, admired jellyfish, debated what various rock formations looked like and stopped for a sea swim and even squeezed in a nano nap.

After a few more false summits we reached Land's End before heading to Sennen for dinner.

Between Parts 6 and 7 we spent another glorious day snorkelling through starfish-filled archways, pretending to be a seal bobbing vertically on the surface and falling asleep to the sound of the sea cushioned by the sand.

For Part 7, I promised myself I'd take Emma's approach: slow down, soak it all in and enjoy the journey.

I woke up to rain.

Dropped off at Levant Mine in atmospheric Cornish mizzle, with no views whatsoever and (rookie error) no raincoat but quick drying skin, I quickly reverted to my default setting and marched on towards Cape Cornwall.

Thankfully the skies cleared just as I arrived. Cape Cornwall has a completely different feel to anywhere else I've walked so far - wild, rugged and Hebridean. I climbed to the windswept top and scurried down again.

I did at least stop for lunch... but not for long. The boys were waiting and Sennen was drawing closer.

Maybe next time I'll finally learn to slow down...

Lessons from the Coast Path

• Slow down

• Sharing the journey brings fresh perspectives

• Pack a raincoat and bins

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