We used to walk up the St. Agnes Beacon a lot when we were kids.
Our home was pretty nearby, and our parents enjoyed getting us out for a wholesome family walk on the occasional Sunday. As a teenager, I despised this and would kick up a huge fuss at having to leave my computer games, but once out and plugged into some headphones I would usually enjoy myself in the end.
I’m pleased to say I’m a long way from that grumpy outdoor-hating teenager now!
These days, I take myself out on long hikes voluntarily *shock*! I love getting outside, getting some fresh air, and exploring new places as well as revisiting old haunts that take me back to my childhood.
This weekend, my sister Miranda and I were determined to collect a good stash of blackberries, so we headed out on a Sunday walk around St. Agnes Beacon.
Armed with buckets for our foraged foods and water for the trip (it was surprisingly hot this September day!), we started our walk from the bottom of the Beacon near the road to Chapel Porth beach, and headed up through the valley ’til we found some blackberry hedgerows.
Pepper came along for the trip too, and I think she was happy that we were taking it slowly and stopping to collect berries so she could lazily stroll up and down and keep it easy in the heat.
^ Pepper’s collar is from a market in Ibiza, but I found some similar ones below…
We made it to the top of the Beacon, and took some obligatory monument snaps. I love the view from the top of the Beacon; you get panoramic scenes all the way from Newquay and Perranporth, to St Agnes & Trevaunance Cove, sweeping around the headland to Wheal Coates and Chapel Porth, and on a clear day you can even see the Portreath coastline and Godrevy lighthouse too!
^ Wearing South Coast Lifestyle tee
Depending on where you park (and how long you like to dawdle picking blackberries) the hike around and to the top of the Beacon can take anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours. There are also loads of extended walks you can do which include the Wheal Coates coastline along the South West Coast Path, or even up from the beach in St. Agnes.
On this day, we had blue skies towards Newquay, and a grey hazy mist when we turned around to face Godrevy and St. Ives, and as we turned to face inland, the skies were full of little clouds that were fascinating to watch. It’s so interesting to see how different the weather can be between what is probably around 30 minutes drive.
We headed back down the gravel pathways through the gorse, with arms full of blackberries and a decent amount of steps logged on the pedometer! What a perfect way to spend a Sunday.
Where are your favourite places to hike in Cornwall? I’m looking for more recommendations!
* I was asked to feature the Animal products on my Instagram in return for free items, but I featured them in this blog post because I love them!
The past few years we’ve stayed in St Agnes, so have walked round to Chapel Porth from there. We hadn’t managed to get up the actual Beacon until April this year when we went for the Bolster Festival and walked up the Beacon for a very foggy bonfire.
I love the Bolster festival! We used to go every year as kids and make our own paper lanterns in the village hall beforehand. Such a great time of year.