PERRANPORTH TO PORTHTOWAN. Stage 26 (28th September 2008)

We set out at 9.40 onto the SWCP right outside the door. A climb to Shag Rock & set the tone for this section with great coastal views and interesting former industrial landscapes. Lots of disused mineshafts are closed by conical grids to keep out people but a free run to bats. The path is fairly flat past an airfield then a steep descent to a little valley full of old pump houses. Crossing a stream inland the path rises steeply but easily. Weather again perfect, 19oC and unbroken sun. There was another steep descent into where we had lunch in a pub right by the path. Then another steep climb to a rolling section as far as . Rather sharp stones make up the path. After some impressive mine ruins the path reaches a busy surfing beach at . Climbing up to Mulgram Hill there is another relatively flat stretch until a steep descent into , a village with several cafes and surf shops. After tea we took the #501 bus back to .

Total time including stops 5 hours Total distance 8.6 miles 13.5km. Ascent 422m

The South West Coast Path is the longest of the official UK National Trails, running from Minehead in Somerset round the English south west peninsula coast to Poole in Dorset. The total length is just over 1000 kilometres or, more precisely, 630 miles. Only very dedicated walkers could contemplate completing the whole walk in one go, although plenty of people have done just this. Received opinion is that it would take around 6 weeks, even for the most dedicated.

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