Crackington Haven to Tintagel

Strenuous, with lots of up to the top of the cliff, down to little coves, but well worth the effort

mile 16 to 18

The coast path runs south from Crackington Haven over gorse covered cliffs, on land owned by the National Trust. You round Cambeak Point and reach a rock arch called Northern Door after a steep descent. The path climbs up the other side of the coombe, with views over the large Sapphire Rock on the beach. Beyond is the rock covered beach called The Strangles.

You follow the higher path to avoid the scrub between the cliff edge and the sea

mile 18 to 20

The highest path then take you up  to 730 feet on the High Cliff.  The John Weaver seat at the top is a wonderful vantage point. The path drops steeply from here, then rises to another seat, Mervyn Scott seat with more views.

After that the path continues along the edge of grass fields before dropping down towards Pentargon

mile 20 to 22

There is a spectacular 120 foot high waterfall at Pentargon, when a stream discharges into the sea. Your path then takes you up out of this little valley, round Penally Hill, which has a prominent weather vane.

In front of you is the charming harbour of Boscastle. Now owned by the National Trust, Boscastle Harbour is seriously scenic. It was first built in the late 1500's by Sir Richard Grenville. For the thirsty there are 3 pubs in Boscastle,

mile 22 to 24

South of Boscastle the path passes the prominent disused Coast Guard lookout at Willapark. There is one steep coombe to traverse, then past Forrabury Common, which is still farmed by the old Celtic strip system

At the next headland you can sea some islands out to sea where seabirds breed (Long Island and Short Island) and just off the path there is Ladies Window, which is a prominent arched rock

Seat outside a house	cottages in Boscastle	National Trust shop at Boscastle

mile 24 to 26

You soon come to Rocky Valley, which is worth the short 1/2 mile detour. There is a ruined mill, bronze age carvings. If you venture another 3/4 mile up the valley you get to St Nectans Kieve, a spectacular waterfall and the site of a 6th century shrine

On past Bossinney Haven, the path cuts off the Iron Age cliff castle on the Willapark Headland. You are then soon in Tintagel, famous as the (supposed) site of King Arthur's castle. The present castle is ruined, but spectacular, and dates from the 12th century. View it from the Castle Hotel opposite. The castle is a few hundred yards out of the town, and this has saved it from being ruined by 20th century tat!

The only other building in Tintagel of any note is the Old Post Office, which was a 15th century manor house.

Tintagel to Boscastle	Sunset over Tintagel Castle	Arthur's Castle and Island
	Arthur's Castle Hotel - empty in Nov 1998, but a prominent landmark

Click on the Corisande Manor Hotel, Newquay, Cornwall button, the place to stay to explore Cornwall and the Cornish Coast

And if you want to learn more about Cornwall, then try our Cornish information site, Cornwall Calling

Cornwall Coast - your guide to the Cornish Coastal Path