Route: Porthcurno and the Minack Theatre
Area: Cornwall
Date of walk: 16th October 2025
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.5 miles
Ascent: 800 feet
Weather: Light cloud, a few very brief bright spells
From our base in Flushing we drove over to the village of Porthcurno and parked in the large public car park. We walked back up the road for a short distance and just before Sea View House we turned sharp left along a track. We passed by some cottages and then walked over the fields to pass by the lovely small church of St Levan. We then joined the South West Coast Path, enjoying some good views along the jagged cliffs. We branched right before Porthgwarra and walked above the village, joining a quiet lane for a short distance. We left the lane just after a sharp bend and descended in the direction of Porthgwarra. Numerous paths radiate from here and offer shorter options back to the start
We followed a track over open moorland. This would be a spectacular section of the walk when the heather is in bloom. Just beyond a dry stone wall there’s a choice of several paths, all of which end up at the coast. We chose one which brought us above Folly Cove. We made a short there and back diversion to admire the view along the coast to Land’s End, about two miles away. We then headed along the South West Coast Path towards the coastguard lookout station. At Porth Loe we had a good sighting of several seals
Beyond the lookout station we descended to Porthgwarra Cove, stopping for a Cornish pasty in the excellent Porthgwarra Café. Suitably refuelled, we continued along the cliffs and then arrived at the famous open air Minack Theatre. The entry fee (currently £12) is quite steep but we’ve always wanted to see this place and weren’t disappointed. The photos below will show why. After leaving the Minack we descended some very steep rock steps to pass above the golden sands of Porthcurno Beach. Beyond the beach it was a short walk back to the the start, and the end of a wonderful walk
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After walking out of Porthcurno and over a couple of fields, we pass by St Levan Church
Looking back to St Levan Church as we head towards the coast
The Atlantic Ocean on our left
We join the South West Coast Path. We've followed various sections of this long distance path on all our walks in Cornwall so far
Looking out to sea...
We head towards the pointed outline of Hella Point left of picture...
Porthgwarra ahead, our route will take us above the small hamlet
Our path can be seen snaking above Carn Scathe
We leave the coast to walk across the headland above Porthgwarra
A short section along a quiet lane
At a sharp bend in the lane we head towards the Lookout Station in the distance
Instead of following the path directly to the Lookout Station we extend the walk by following a path over the heath. Several paths radiate beyond the gate, we chose the one which leads to Carn Barra
We arrive at Carn Barra
Folly Cove
We make a short there and back diversion to Carn Barra in order to make the most of the wonderful coastal scenery
Land's End from Carn Barra
We retrace our steps and follow a path above the cliffs
We aim for the Lookout Station on Gwennap Head
The rocky cove of Porth Loe below
We follow a path which takes us above the cove
Porth Loe
Looking down into Porth Loe, we spot a grey seal
A pair of grey seals. We lingered here for a while and saw about 7 individuals
We pass by the Lookout Station
We walk above Hella Point
Carn Scathe below
Porthgwarra - we'd walked above the hamlet on the outgoing section of the walk
Porthgwarra Cove . We paused for refreshments at the Porthgwarra Cove Cafe
Batteries recharged, we continue the walk, forking right here. We'd arrived via the path on the left
Our path can be seen as it descends and then ascends above Porth Chapel beach
We climb back up to the cliff top
Looking back to Porth Chapel beach
A wild pony grazing above the beach
We arrive at the Minack Theatre. It went against the grain to pay an admission fee when there was no performance, but curiosity had to be satisfied
What an amazing place...
After leaving the theatre we descended some very steep steps above Porthcurno Beach
We walk past the beach and back up to the car park to end a fantastic walk, which had been full of interest from start to finish
