Newquay to Perranporth

Today’s route from Newquay to Perranporth requires crossing the tidal River Gannel. In the summer a ferry runs, but we’re too late in the season to catch that. So we had the option of a 3 mile detour upstream to cross at a bridge, or use a footbridge which is only accessible at low tide.

Low tide was at 13:42, with the bridge passable 2 hours either side of that time. We decided to have a later start than usual, and cross using the footbridge. It also meant that we could do most of today’s walk in the better weather of this afternoon.

After crossing the river, we walked round the estuary, across the dunes, and crossed a few smaller beaches, before reaching the beach at Holywell. The weather had improved by now, and with a touch of sun, I was starting to dry out. 

After a stop for lunch we continued round the headland. Here a couple of military helicopters were presumably doing some training, and kept buzzing overhead. 

We then continued along the beach, and up to the Youth Hostel; perched on the cliff top, looking back along the beach.