Woodland, farmland, sea and quay
Walk to the sea, along the coast path, up through farmland and Bohortha hamlet and return through woodland along the estuary. Take in everything the Roseland has to offer.
Map
Start:
Porth car park
1
Follow the pink arrow way-markers along the route. From the car park head toward the cafe and toilets to find the first arrow, directing you to Towan beach.
2
When the path splits at the beach turn right, keeping the sea on your left, walk along the low sandy cliff overlooking Towan beach (look out for seals!).
If you stroll along Towan beach in the very early morning in fine weather, you can enjoy the peaceful sunrise over the waves. Look out for oystercatchers, dunlin, sanderling and overwintering gulls.
3
Eventually you reach a wooden gate onto Killigerran Head. Continue along the coastpath until you reach a pink way-marker pointing right. The track leads away from the sea, up through fields (often with grazing cattle), to a gate in the hedge.
Enjoy the views from Killigerran Head across Gerrans Bay to Nare Head and Gull Rock, and the Dodman further on; on the clearest days, Rame Head can just be made out, long and low on the horizon.
4
Once through the gate there is a short section of road, turn right, walk carefully along the lane and look out for a pink arrow. You will bear left into the hamlet of Bohortha.
5
Continue up hill through Bohortha and follow the green winding lane (sometimes muddy) out of the hamlet.
6
The lane takes you out to farm fields, follow the pink way-marker left, go through the wooden gate, and follow the path down the hill, with the hedge on your right and arable field on your left.
All the year round you may hear and be lucky enough to see the cirl bunting, a rare species that was reintroduced on the Roseland in 2006. In spring and summer, listen out for skylarks, linnets, whitethroats and dunnocks providing the background song of upland farmland and coastal heath, whilst woodlands are filled with the songs of small passerines, including the iconic chiffchaff, back from Africa.
7
Hop over the stone style and follow the path by the hedge line to a wooden gate, leading in to woodland.
Woodland pathways are carpeted by a rich tapestry of spring flora; scented wild bluebells, primroses and celandines are offset by the vibrant greens of freshly uncurling ferns. Look out for early purple orchids in grassy fields and along path edges. Swathes of delicate spring squill display as patches of mauve among the clifftop heath. Red campions, stitchwort, Babington’s leek and cow parsley in the hedgerows give way to foxglove, hogweed and wild carrot as summer advances. The air is filled with the scent of many wild flowers.
8
Carry on downhill through the trees and down the steps. Views of the river will open up on your left, you will pass a break in the hedgerow and a stone style on your left, here you can take a detour to the foreshore if you wish.
See how many butterfly and moth species you can spot making the most of seasonal floral abundance, such as the delicate common blue (above). Some species, like the painted lady, migrate here from mainland Europe and beyond
9
Follow the woodland route, as it gradually takes you North along the Percuil River with views across to Percuil and St Mawes. The path winds its way up and down along the edge of Froe Creek, with views through the trees to Pelyn cottage.
There are lovely views up the Percuil river and across the water to St Mawes with its castle, and Falmouth beyond. In autumn and winter theghostly calls of curlew, greenshank, redshank, and other winter migrants echo along the Percuil river, where herons and little egrets also come to hunt, year round.
10
Follow the path out of the woods and back to the car park where you started.
End:
Porth car park