Pencarrow Head short walk
Get blown away by the views on this short walk that takes you round the rocky outcrop of Pencarrow Head, overlooking Lantic Bay.
Map
Start:
Pencarrow car park, grid ref: SX149513
1
Head south out of the car park, up the lane and cross over the road and onto the footpath. Bear right along the path, through the gate at the end and turn left onto the footpath through the field, bearing left.
Heading out Pencarrow car park
This walk takes you through open farmland managed by our tenants, who work to preserve this ancient landscape and the species that thrive in the area.
2
Carry on the footpath until you come to a gate. You can detour down to Lantic Bay here, or carry on down towards the headland.
Lantic Bay
Detour down the steep path to Great Lantic Beach. At the back of the beach is a rich community of salt-tolerant wild plants including sea bindweed, sea spurge and sea knotgrass.
3
Go through the gate and follow the footpath out to the headland where you can stop and take in the magnificent views.
Pencarrow Head
A mix of rock, plant life, insects and birds, together with far-reaching views. In spring the ledges are decked with sea campion and thrift, ox-eye daisies and sheep's-bit scabious. Gorse and bracken have been cleared, establishing new areas of grassland. On a clear day you can see Bolt Head in Devon to the east and the Lizard to the west - 70 miles (113km) apart. In medieval times, Pencarrow Head was a warren where rabbits were encouraged to breed, and then culled for meat. Nowadays Dexter cattle and Dartmoor ponies graze the cliff-tops.
4
You can return either way; east along the path towards Lantivet Bay before turning left, or west looking out over Lantic Bay. Both paths join back onto the footpath you came down on. Then retrace your steps up the field, back along the footpath next to the road and down the lane into Pencarrow car park.
Pencarrow Head return route
Our rangers manage the landscape alongside neighbouring farmland, keeping footpaths open and car parks neat and tidy. Look at the information boards to see what's on in the area.
End:
Pencarrow car park, grid ref: SX149513
