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The sandy shoreline of Carne Beach, Cornwall, backed by grassy cliffs.
Carne Beach, Cornwall | © National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole
Cornwall

Carne Beach to Nare Head circular walk

This walk takes in a wooded valley and offers views from the tip of Nare Head and from the South West Coast Path. Things to look out for on the way include a Bronze Age barrow, an Iron Age earthwork and a Second World War decoy bunker.

Total steps: 14

Total steps: 14

Start point

Carne Beach car park. Grid ref: SW906383. Postcode: TR2 5PF

Step 1

In the right-hand corner of the car park go over the wooden stile into a field, walking along the base of the valley away from the car park. Bear right up the hill (not over the footbridge).

Step 2

At the brow of the hill you'll see a large, flat area. Continue on from this, cross the stone stile and follow the hedgeline down the right hand side of the field.

Step 3

At the end of the field go through the kissing gate, then turn right to follow a short section of minor road.

Step 4

As the road bends to the right, cross the double stile in front of you, following the footpath across the field. The small but distinctive hill in the middle of the field is Carne Beacon.

Step 5

Climb the short way to the top of the beacon.

Step 6

Exit the field via the stone step stile, coming out onto a minor road. Bear left along the road, towards the houses of Carne village.

Step 7

Walk through Carne village, bearing right and following the public footpath signs.

Step 8

The road ends at an intersection of grassy footpaths. Take the left-hand path and Nare Head will soon come into view.

Step 9

Stay on the coast path, crossing the footbridge at the base of the valley. Go past the remains of Mallet's Cottage up to the right. Turn left opposite the cottage, heading inland through Paradoe Valley woods. Come out of the woods, through the kissing gate and bear left along edge of the field hedge line.

Step 10

Go through a kissing gate past Kiberick car park, cross the road and go through the next kissing gate into a field. Follow the path down towards Kiberick Cove. Bear right, keeping the sea on your left.

Step 11

Cross the wooden stile into the next field. The path is close to the cliff edge, so please keep children and dogs under close control. Continue along the path and over another wooden stile.

Step 12

Go through this field, which has a Second World War decoy bunker and early-warning Royal Observer Corps (ROC) observation post in it. Continue ahead, keeping the sea on your left, towards Nare Head.

Step 13

At the waymark, turn left towards Nare Head. Follow the path downhill, back past Mallet's Cottage, and continue along towards Carne Beach.

Step 14

Stay on the South West Coast Path around Gerrans Bay. The path comes out onto the road above Carne Beach. Bear left downhill, following the road back into Carne car park.

End point

Carne Beach car park. Grid ref: SW906383. Postcode: TR2 5PF

Trail map

A map of the Carne Beach to Nare Head circular walk
A map of the Carne Beach to Nare Head circular walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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Get in touch

Carne beach, Veryan, Truro, Cornwall, TR2 5PF

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