St Agnes Head from Porthtowan

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 8.5km out-and-back coastal run from Porthtowan to St Agnes Head is a quintessential Cornish trail experience, packing 261m of elevation gain into its rugged profile. Departing from the sandy shores of Porthtowan, you’ll immediately hit the South West Coast Path, where the terrain transitions from technical singletrack to wider, smoother cliff-top trails. With a difficulty rating of 4 for hilliness, runners can expect a series of punchy ascents and sweeping descents that will test your leg strength while rewarding you with uninterrupted views of the Atlantic. The route is entirely unpaved, making trail shoes a necessity, especially when navigating the dramatic sweeps around Chapel Porth.

Steeped in industrial heritage, this stretch of the St Agnes coastline sits within a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its iconic engine houses perched precariously on the cliff edge. As you run toward the northern turn-point at St Agnes Head, you’ll pass the ruins of the Wheal Coates tin mine, most notably the Towanroath Engine House, which provides one of the most photographed backdrops in Cornwall. This landscape, once bustling with Victorian mining activity, is now a serene haven for maritime birdlife and wildflowers. Local tip: keep an eye out for grey seals in the coves below Chapel Porth, and be prepared for the refreshing, salty "sea fret" that often rolls in off the ocean to cool you down mid-run.