Mawgan Porth to Treyarnon Bay (South West Coast Path 74)

We resumed the coast path at Mawganporth, which looked very different at low tide (compare yesterday's views). The shallow sandy beach now looked enormous. It was staggering just how far out the tide went. The view above was taken from the high cliff (75m) on the north side, approaching Trenance Point. 

From just round the point, the straightish section of coast stretched ahead to Park Head.

The next viewpoint was the National Trust owned Carnewas Point: sandy beaches and giant rocks lay ahead.

Once past the first of these rocks, we followed the path down to a viewing platform overlooking the famous Bedruthan Steps.

I wasn't quite clear what expect from the name - perhaps a sort of mini Giant's Causeway. In fact it was a series of rock formations which, with an imaginative leap, could well have been the Giant's Stepping Stones.

We continued along the clifftop passing inland of Park Head and then above High Cove which had clearly been used for slate mining. Just beyond it was a giant hole where a mine had presumably long ago collapsed. It was quite a dramatic sight.

Next up was Porthcothan. This was another of the shallow sandy beaches where the tide goes far out which characterise this part of Cornwall. This one was unusual in that the lifeguard watch point (off to the right of the picture) was so far from the low tide mark that the lifeguards had to use a four-by-four to go travel the  half mile to the waterline change their flags.

We paused for a drink at the café at the back of the beach and set off round the back of beach and up the right hand side. The long-threatened rain was now upon us as the wind strengthened. We hurried along the clifftop overlooking more rocky beaches.

As we approached Treyarnon Bay holiday parks began to appear inland and then we passed this interesting eco house.

Treyarnon Bay, today's destination, looking very inhospitable, was just around the next headland.

Conditions: cool and grey, windy, becoming wet.

Grading: Moderate.

Map: Explorer 104 (Redruth and St Agnes).

Distance: 6.5 miles (distance now covered 452 miles).

Rating: four stars.