I’m not fond of a walk where you have to return the same way. I’m the same with driving, often seeking a different road back from where we’ve been. It’s not always possible of course, but the Penrose estate near Porthleven and Helston provides several circular routes within the park, including one which leads to the coast around Loe Pool which is separated from the sea by a sand bar named Loe Bar. There you will find an all year round dog walking beach because it is far to dangerous to swim there. My last visit was with the OH a few months ago when we had to turn round and walk back the same way as he suffers from vertigo and cannot cope being near the cliff edge.
No such problem with my son though, and he was happy to continue along the South West coastal path and then up the lane back to the car park on Penrose Hill.
As you exit the wooded trail through Bar Walk Plantation you get your first view of the open expanse of Mount’s Bay which stretches from the Lizard Point to Gwennap Head.
Several years ago I attempted to walk on this part of the South West coastal path, but it was so close to the edge I gave up. Now, due to cliff erosion, the path has been recreated further inland and it is much wider and safer. Altogether a lovely walk and with some stunning views up and down the coastline, south towards the Lizard and north to Rinsey Head.
Leaving the coastal path behind we turned right uphill on Cooper’s Lane where there is another small National Trust car park at Highburrow where you can follow an inland bridle path which leads you through the estate and past the overgrown mine shafts of Wheal Rose back to the Penrose Hill car park.
We continued along the lane which was clothed in Traveller’s Joy and wild blackberries then turning right onto Shrubberies hill we soon reached the car. Total walk is around 5 miles and there is a small café at the Stables on the estate where we stopped for a panini and a coffee. If you continue into Porthleven itself you will find plenty of eateries and galleries.
If you like a walk, long or short, then please visit Jo for her regular strolls in the UK and the Algarve and maybe you would like to join in too. She’s very welcoming.
Cornwall in Colours 
I do, and I am! 🙂 🙂 Thanks so much, Jude. I flipped on my Reader to see what you had in your Square in September today, and there you are! With Alex too 🙂 Fabulous!
No square today. Been busy trying to get some walks done for you, including the sculpture park! Much easier to post single photos!!
I’m very grateful. 🙂 🙂 You’d laugh! I’ve been messing about for the past hour trying to work out how to square a photo. Finally got it 🙂
Oh, you make me want to come back to Cornwall–right now! Lovely walk!
Thank you 🙂
A lovely walk in sunny weather, and so few others around.
Grey and rain here today, so not relishing my dog walk soon!
Best wishes, Pete. x
Damp this morning Pete, but blue sky now. However it is blowing a right hooley!! So I think we’ll keep clear of the cliffs!
Gorgeous views! Looks like a fantastic place to walk.
Yes, it is a lovely mix of parkland, woodland and the coast.
Wheal Trewavas looks most perilous, and Porthleven harbour looks lovely. Thanks for my virtual walk, Jude!
The harbour is lovely Sue. I might take the boy and attempt to get to those ruins, they are not far from Wheal Prosper at Rinsey Head and should be doable.
Oooh, do! I would love to see some images!
I think we’ll wait until this wind calms down!
Fair enough!
So beautiful! I think I’d particularly enjoy the bits your OH wouldn’t, as I love a good clifftop walk – not too close to the edge though, my knees go funny.
His knees go funny and his stomach flips! Gardens are usually a safe bet for us 🙂
I don’t have the stomach thing and didn’t always get funny knees – as I age they get funnier. This is probably also true of their appearance!
Haha… I like that! My knees are just annoyingly painful.
This is a wonderful trip I have done many times. The NT provide a Tramper which means I’ve been able to enjoy the entire estate. Your photographs do it justice Jude.
Thanks Adrian. I like the estate too.
Simply gorgeous!
I love it when you round the corner and the pool and sand bar come into view.
I can imagine that. Nature with her ever-changing views can be wonderful.
A good spot in a storm too.
What a splendid walk along a beautiful coastline. You must have taken added pleasure from the presence of your son. A five-mile walk is a good indicator of recovery!
It was nice to finally complete the circuit. And A is good company. I shall miss him when he returns home. He has made an incredible recovery, even the nurse the other day said she couldn’t believe how well he was looking for 7 weeks post op. He has even put on a few pounds, but then he is eating very well now!
Beautiful walk; and just what I need on a miserable grey Auckland day. 🙂
A very windy day here today, but hoping it will improve by the end of the week so I can get out for another walk. Just got to take advantage of all the sunny days we can now!
Hope it improves for you.
Flooding, fires from lightening strikes and a tornado here (well, in the South Island, but “here” relatively) so far today. And rain. Lots and lots of rain 😦
Oh no!
When I look at what’s happening in other places — Bangladesh for example — we’re getting off very lightly 🙂
Sadly no-one seems to care as much for the people of Bangladesh 😦 There is still so much inequality in the world.
And no sign of it lessening 😦
No. Our world is becoming less and less tolerant it seems. Surely not? We need another sixties revolution!!
Yes! Perhaps without the paisley though?
I never wore paisley, but I do remember my daughter having a paisley shirt in the ’90s!
I had a purple paisley pinafore (seriously, I’m not alliterating for comic effect). My mum made two of them for my primary school fashion-show fundraiser. One was auctioned and I got to keep the other. Problem was of course, the person who got the other one wore it to school too! It was a very small school 🙂
Oh no! I can see why you dislike paisley 🙂