Section 56 of 218, King Charles III England Coast Path
Penzance to Praa Sands
9.5 miles (15.4 km). About 3½ hours, moderate.
Start: SW 476 305. Finish: SW 579 280. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Warning: Diversion in place. Part of this route is closed or diverted for now. In Suffolk, the National Trust says the path across Dunwich Heath and its beach is closed after a wildfire, with no pedestrian access. In Somerset, the council says three short sections near the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier (Pawlett, Chilton Trinity and Express Park) are closed for construction works, and a long-term diversion is in place around Hinkley Point C. Source: somerset.gov.uk.
Up and down
About 327 m of climbing and 313 m of descent; highest point 52 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Penzance.
- Station
- Penzance, 190 m from the start. Directions SW 476 306
- Bus stops
- Stand A, 60 m from the start. Directions SW 476 305Stand B, 60 m from the start. Directions SW 476 305Stand C, 70 m from the start. Directions SW 476 305
- Car parks
- Harbour Long Stay Car Park (pay), 110 m from the start. Directions SW 475 305Car park (pay), 150 m from the start. Directions SW 476 306Car park, 370 m from the start. Directions SW 476 308
Getting back
The section finishes at Praa Sands. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Bus stop, 130 m from the finish. Directions SW 579 282Trewartha Road, 200 m from the finish. Directions SW 580 282Parc Morrep, 240 m from the finish. Directions SW 577 282
Planning the King Charles III England Coast Path
- Planning the whole trail: nationaltrail.co.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: earth, rock and mud 44%, paved or flagged 41%, gravel and tracks 8%.
About 18% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 7 stiles, 2 kissing gates, 1 gate, 1 stream crossing, 14 flights of steps.
Steepest climb: about 37 m in a kilometre (1 in 27), starting 8.5 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
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Something wrong or missing?
Tell us what to change about this section: a wrong distance, a moved start, a path that's closed.