Wednesday 7 January 2026 Circular walk between Tintagel and Boscastle
Starting point and parking
Trethevy car park (aka St Nectans Waterfall Car Park), Trethevy, Tintagel PL34 0BG
OS Explorer 111, grid ref SX 075 892
Google Maps:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UsmVt75XFLfXR5Ka8
Charges: £3 all day
Start time: 10:00 for 10:30 start. Finish time: around 15:00
Distance: 5.6 miles (less if taking the shortcut)
Route: anti-clockwise, stopping for lunch on the grass above Forrabury Common.
Loos: none en route. Nearest is at Bossiney Campsite, Tintagel PL34 0AY, Google
Maps
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MwGiAAqmree91kBg8
Refreshments: bring a packed lunch
Link to route for OS Maps subscribers:
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/29179608/rocky-valley-boscastle-
2?lat=50.6867&lon=-4.69619&zoom=13.2395&style=Leisure&type=2d
Shortcut - After St Symphorian's Church the group will divide (provided there are enough walk leaders). One subgroup will take the eastern route, which descends almost to Boscastle Harbour. The other subgroup will take the shortcut across Forrabury Common, which avoids the walk's largest descent and ascent. (Apologies but FB will not let us post the maps etc of the shortcut. Please join our email list if you would like them. Email address in About).
Optional extra - To the west of this route lies Rocky Valley. If some walkers would like to visit it (and provided there are enough walk leaders) the group can divide near the end of the walk. The route down into Rocky Valley (and back, for we must retrace our steps) is steep.
Hazards
Grade - The return along the coast has a couple of quite short steep sections. If you take the shortcut, the total ascent (and descent) is about half that of the Menabilly walk last January or the Boscastle walk in July.
Obstacles - There are half a dozen stiles and one short bridge over a stream.
Roads - Four sections of the walk are on roads. Two of those sections are short lengths of the B3263, which is quite busy. The others are quieter roads.
Weather - Who knows? Chances are that the ground will be wet: the coast path is mostly shale, so should be less slippery than soil paths elsewhere.
Directions to the car park, which is on the B3263…
Approaching from the west (Tintagel) - The road drops into Rocky Valley, with a sharp left bend at the bottom, then rises out of it. As it levels off, the car park is on the left.
Approaching from the east (Boscastle) - Pass the entrance to Trewethett Farm Caravan & Campsite on theright. The car park is 300m further, on the right.
Gear - Usual drill: walking boots or good-grip wellingtons; walking poles if you like.
Dogs - On leads on roads, and in fields with livestock.
Leader - Patrick McClaughy
