North Cliffs, Red River, Hell’s Mouth
Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2023.
Directions:
From the carpark at SW 625 431, return to the road and take the footpath on the opposite side facing inland. It runs alongside dairy fields, crossing two farm tracks on its way down to Combe. At the bottom gate at Coombe SW 628 424 , turn left and walk down the hill until the road bridge crosses Tehidy Stream. Turn right and follow the river.
Cross the road bridge beyond the bridlepath where Red River meets the Tehidy Stream and turn left up the track towards Kieve Mill. After 300 metres, take the path on the left which winds through light woodland beside the river for 400 metres. As you emerge from the trees to open country, turn to the right where there is a line of granite blocks, handy for a coffee stop SW 633 420.
With the river behind you and the granite blocks stretching left and right along the track, take the path at right angles, up the hill, with a wall on the left and a hedge on the right. Cross over the road to the water treatment plant on the right, and continue to the road.
Cross over the road and follow the farm track towards Grass Valley Farm. After 500 yards, the road turns to the left and the path goes straight on, over a stile and across a field with views opening up to Carbis Bay and St Ives on the left. Follow the path across the field, over the next stile and across the farm track. The path runs along the left side of the hedge steeply down to the river. Duck under the trees and follow the path over the boardwalk, past the lake on the right, and then over the river, rejoining the main bridlepath by going through the gap in the wooden fence and turning left SW 622 419.
Continue to the end of the track which fords the river to meet the road at Menadarva. Turn left onto the tarmac road and after 100 yards, turn right up the farm track marked ‘Menadarva Farm’ SW 613 416. Notice the old dovecotes in the house wall and the mullioned windows of the barn; there are records of a settlement here going back to the 13th century. It was given to the Arundell family of Trengwaiton and Trerice by a grateful Queen Elizabeth I.
Past the stable block, go through the gate into the paddock. The path goes steeply uphill. Go through the gate at the top and turn right SW 610 417, following the hedge to a gated stile, then across two fields to a stone stile.
At the road, turn left past the large barns and take the footpath on the right through the gate at SW 606 421. There are great views of Gwithian Towans, with Knill’s Monument (St Ives) on the skyline across the bay.
The path runs along the left side of the hedge, turning sharply downhill to a gate. Go through the gate and across the boardwalk into the woods at Carlean Well. Go up the steps and turn right up the track for 250 metres (often flooded in winter) to Hell’s Mouth Café. The footpath turns off the track to the left and meets the coast road.
Cross the road to Hell’s Mouth, and then take the coast path to the right across Hudder Downs, returning to the car park after a further 1.5 miles, with fine views of the cliffs to St Agnes.