Duration / Distance: 3 Hours, 4 Miles
Terrain: Stiles at Cotna Eco Retreat, in the woods and at Colonna; steep ups and downs, can be muddy / slippery in Portmellon valley when wet; off road apart from walking on quiet lane between Gorran Haven and Trewollack.
Overview: Quiet peaceful woods; riverside and fields downhill to Portmellon; coast path above cliffs to architectural gem Chapel Point, secluded deserted small circular sandy beach at Colonna; spectacular cliff walk with views down to picturesque Gorran Haven.
Leave your yurt at Cotna Eco Retreat through entrance way then immediately right up along the hedge of the oval field. Over the stile on the right, cross 2 fields on the path, then over the 3rd stile into the Woodland Trust’s Sanctuary Wood. Turn left along the top, then first right down to the bottom of the hill.
Turn right at bottom through gate, follow path over stream, across wilding field, over stile into West Bodrugan Wood nature reserve. Keep to the level path, cross the small lane from Galowras Mill and keep on the level wooded path, over the wooden step stile then through the last field to Portmellon boatyard. Dogs need to be on a lead if sheep are in the field. At the sea see the Rising Sun Inn by the beach to the left, The Shack café (seasonal; great coffee, vegan options) and the Paddle Shed (kayak and SUP paddle board hire), with the coast road to Mevagissey.
Turn right uphill, then soon turn left onto Chapel Point Lane (South West Coast Path). Keep walking past all the houses and the unwelcoming signs; take the coast path down to the left (watch out for steep drop to rocks on the left), then across fields to Chapel Point (no public access) and down to Colonna Beach.
Follow the coast path uphill and for the next mile towards Gorran Haven. After crossing the kissing gate by the bridge over the stream follow the path to the top of the next slope then bear right to head back to Cotna Eco Retreat, away from the actual coast path, towards the next field gate. Follow the cattle track across the fields bearing to the right until you reach the gate and the track leading up to the right to Trewollack.
(Don’t worry if you miss this: stay on the Coast Path into Gorran Haven where you can find cafes, beach and the road back up to Gorran Churchtown and Cotna Eco Retreat)
At the lane turn left through Trewollack, keeping straight on to Trelispen. At the next junction turn right (unsuitable for motors, but they do use it!) Cross the next lane with care and go through the gateway onto the field track opposite. Lean on the next gate to admire Cotna Eco Retreat across the valley.
Climb over the stile on the left before the gate and follow the hedge on the right across the field and then down to the stream with its stiles and wooden bridge. Follow the narrow path past the first cottages into Gorran. Up at the back of the church, turn right back down Cotna Lane to Cotna Eco Retreat. Or keep straight on for a 100 yard stumble into the Barley Sheaf pub.
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