Cornwall

Pentire headland walk

Enjoy a walk that takes in the spectacular Pentire Point and the Rumps. On a clear day, this section of the South West Coast Path offers views of Stepper Point to the south with Doyden and Tintagel Castle to the north. Keep your eyes peeled for grey seals and peregrine falcons often seen on this stretch of the North Cornwall coast.

Near to

Pentire

Start point

Pentireglaze car park, PL27 6QY

Trail information

View route

Print trail

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 3.4 (km: 5.44)

Duration2 hours to 3 hours

Dog friendly***

*Follows mostly natural, grassy tracks and coastpaths. For further details, see section marked Terrain.
**Steps and some uneven paths. For further details, see Access section.
***Dogs must be kept on a lead. For futher details, see section marked Facilities.

Address
Pentireglaze, New Polzeath, PL27 6QY
Directions via Google Maps
On foot
The route starts just off the South West Coast Path between Polzeath and Port Quin.
By bus
The Go Cornwall number 10 service passes through Polzeath village. You can pick the walk up at Pentireglaze Haven (point 3 on the route).
By road
From the B3314 (between Wadebridge and the Port Isaac turn), follow the sign posts in the direction of Polzeath and then New Polzeath. The nearest postcode is PL27 6QY.
Total stages: 4
Total stages: 4
Start point
Pentireglaze car park, PL27 6QY
Stage 1
Exit the car park through the courtyard (where you'll find the Pentyr Café and toilets) and turn right at the road. Head up the hill and at the junction turn left. Follow the farm road over the cattle grid (or through the gate) and continue on the road until you reach a right turn signed to Lead Mines. Follow this track a short distance until you reach the small car park. Leave via the path to the right of the pay and display machine. You will cross a small field and pick up the coast path through a wooden gate.
Coastal wildlife
There are a number of wildflowers that can be enjoyed on the cliffs here. You may also spot a grey seal or peregrine falcon that also make this stretch of coast their homes. The Lead Mines car park is built on an old silver-lead mine. The mine is now home to the greater horseshoe bat, one of the largest and rarest of Britain's 17 species of bat. In the UK, they are now found only in the South West and western parts of Wales.
Stage 2
Turn left and follow the coast path for approx. 2 miles ignoring all signs and routes inland. You will follow the South West Coast Path around the entire headland and eventually find yourself at the beach at New Polzeath (Pentireglaze Haven).
The Rumps and Pentire Point
The Rumps headland is the site of an Iron Age hill fort, built before the Roman invasion of Britain in about 200 AD. You can still see the remains today; they can be recognised as the earth mounds across the 'neck'. Pentire Point offers walkers fantastic views across the mouth of the Camel Estuary to Stepper Point, with the Trevose Head lighthouse in the distance. Looking in the other direction, Tintagel Castle can be seen on a clear day.
Stage 3
As you reach the beach at Pentireglaze Haven (known locally as Baby Bay), the coast path runs just above the beach. Continue to follow the path, then turn left and take the track and then bridleway that leads inland. You will pass through several gates; please be mindful to close them after you as cattle and sheep graze on the fields here. The path follows the right hand edge of two farmed fields and then becomes a track between two hedgerows.
Stage 4
After half a mile you will reach a road junction with the option to take a footpath to your left (keeping you off the road). Follow the footpath down a gentle slope and across a footbridge. This brings you to the orchard opposite the main Pentire car park. Follow the path ahead that zig zags out of the orchard, cross the road and you'll be back at the car park and welcome facilities.
End point
Pentireglaze car park, PL27 6QY
Trail map
Pentire headland walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
You made it
Share your experience

Pentire, near Wadebridge, Cornwall, PL27 6QY

01208863046

pentire@nationaltrust.org.uk

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website

Walking

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner

Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.

Two female visitors standing on the rocks at Giant's Causeway, County Antrim

Article

Staying safe at National Trust places

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

Visitor walking along the coastal path on the Rumps at Pentire, Cornwall

Walking in Cornwall

From strolls that reward you with stunning views of the South West coast to gentle inland meanders, these are some of the best walks in Cornwall.

Areas A-Z

Things to do

Place types

Pentire headland walk

Near to