At low tide, the coastline at Pendower Beach joins up with Carne; the Porthscatho & Gerrans Bay walk follows coastal paths before returning inland to Gerrans. These different coastal features give you concrete points of reference when planning around the area.
The Porthscatho and Gerrans Bay walk
The walk follows the South West Coast Path towards Towan Beach. It then passes through Rosteague and Treloan before returning inland to Gerrans. Along the way, the route uses coastal paths, footpaths from the beach, quiet lanes and trails; it is mostly flat. The route described therefore includes a coastal section and a return through the inland area.
In wet weather, path conditions may vary, and trail conditions can also change. Take the weather and current path conditions into account when planning. The description of the route as mostly flat conveys its general character; at the same time, it remains relevant to your planning that conditions can change.
Beaches and coastal landscape
Pendower Beach is in Gerrans Bay. At low tide, the beach joins up with Carne to form a golden coastline more than a mile long. This connection depends on the tide: if it matters to your plans, take the tide times into account. Behind Pendower Beach are low, soft cliffs and rock pools. They are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest because of their diverse geology and wildlife.
Towan Beach is also in the Gerrans area, at the tip of St Gerrans Bay. The south-east-facing bay consists of sand and shingle. This distinguishes the descriptions of the two beaches: at Pendower, the connection with Carne at low tide is a feature of the coastline, while Towan is characterised by its orientation and its mix of sand and shingle.
The Gerrans Bay to Camel’s Cove SSSI covers 140 hectares and stretches for 10 kilometres along the east coast of the Roseland Peninsula. This gives a sense of the scale of the designated site, while the cliffs and rock pools behind Pendower describe specific landscape features.
History and church in Gerrans
The Gerrans Parish Heritage Centre opened in 2004. It presents the history of the parish from prehistoric times to the modern era. A medieval cross stands in Gerrans churchyard. Together, these subjects offer different points of interest for anyone who wants to consider the parish’s history as well as the coast.
St Gerrans Church holds regular Sunday services that are open to everyone and generally begin at 10 am. If attending a service is part of your plans, bear in mind that this is the usual time and is not stated as a fixed start time for every Sunday.
Weighing up Gerrans as a place to stay
If you are considering Gerrans as a place to stay overnight, first think about what matters most for your trip: a walk with coastal and inland sections, the tide-dependent connection between Pendower and Carne, or the history of the parish. These differences can help you choose a destination without combining the beach, route and culture into a set daily itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Madron, Herodsfoot, Gooseham, Penrose, Saint Neot, Gwennap, Gweek, Illogan.
For the wider travel overview: Cornwall.
