Part two of this walk continues from Porthcurno and follows the coastal path towards Pedn Vounder Beach, one of the most photographed and recognisable locations in Cornwall. The area has a long history of drawing visitors for its scenery, its clear water and its dramatic granite cliffs, and it remains one of the most distinctive stretches of coastline in the far west of the county.
Porthcurno itself is well known for its telegraph history, its sheltered white sand and the presence of the Minack Theatre carved into the cliffs above.
Pedn Vounder, however, sits just around the headland and feels more remote. At low tide, wide sandbars and shallow turquoise pools appear and create the views that have become so widely shared online. At higher tides the beach becomes far smaller, with the cliffs rising steeply behind it and the sea covering much of the flat sand. In autumn this coastline takes on a slightly different character, with stronger winds, shifting skies and more movement in the water.
Before descending towards Pedn Vounder, it is worth noting that the National Trust has formally closed the main access route down the cliff. The path has been affected by erosion and rock instability, making the descent unsafe by their assessment. Despite this, many people still make their way down using informal tracks, though it is something visitors should approach with caution. Others choose to reach the beach by swimming, paddling or kayaking around from neighbouring coves. The official closure remains in place primarily for safety reasons rather than to restrict access altogether, but it is a reminder that this is a wild, natural environment where conditions can change quickly.
The beach is also known as a naturist-friendly spot. That has been the case for many years, and on quieter days it is not uncommon to see the occasional nudist enjoying the solitude. During this visit there was only one person on the sand with their dog, which added to the sense of how peaceful the area can feel outside the busy summer season.
The walk itself begins on the clifftop path that rises above Porthcurno. The tide was rolling in, and the sea had far more movement than the previous day. Waves were pushing against the rocks below, and the wind was strong enough at times to make the exposed sections of the path feel noticeably cooler.
Throughout the afternoon the weather shifted between clear sunshine and sudden patches of dark, leaden cloud. A few light showers passed over, but they moved through quickly, leaving crisp air and bright light in their wake. It was one of those changeable autumn days that makes the coastline look different from one moment to the next.
As I made my way along the path, the views opened out across Pedn Vounder and towards Logan Rock, the large granite outcrop that marks the eastern end of the bay. Even with the tide pushing higher, the colour of the water remained remarkably clear. The combination of long Atlantic swells and shallow sandbars often creates bands of turquoise, deeper blue and white foam. This part of the coastline is a favourite of mine to film because of how quickly the light and sea conditions shift, giving something new to capture almost every time.
Reaching the clifftop above Pedn Vounder, the sense of how steep the access route has become is immediately apparent. The eroded section drops away sharply, and it is easy to see why safety concerns have been raised. From the viewpoint, however, the beach looks untouched. The single figure on the sand gave a good sense of scale, and the occasional gust of wind sent sprays of sand drifting across the shoreline. The waves were pushing in with enough energy to cover and uncover parts of the beach every minute or so.
I spent some time filming from above before finding a sheltered spot to sit and take in the view. This is one of the reasons I return to this area so often. Even on days when the weather does not settle into a single mood, the landscape feels expansive and open. The combination of granite cliffs, shifting sky and the Atlantic constantly working its way into the bay makes it a place that is easy to appreciate slowly. It is somewhere that encourages a pause, whether for lunch, a short rest or simply a moment to enjoy the surroundings.
From this vantage point, you can see how the wider coastline stretches back towards Porthcurno and forwards towards Penberth. Both are beautiful in their own right, but Pedn Vounder has a distinct character because of its shape, its sandbars and its more enclosed feel. It is also a location that rewards familiarity. Visiting in different seasons, at different tides and in different weather conditions gives a much fuller view of what makes the place special.
As the tide continued to rise and the wind strengthened, I filmed a few final shots of the waves pushing up against the base of the cliffs. The rain clouds passed over once more before clearing into brighter skies. It was a fitting end to an autumn walk that captured the changeable character of the landscape. Days like this are a reminder of why Cornwall is such an inspiring coastline to explore and why I feel fortunate to live close enough to experience places like Porthcurno and Pedn Vounder throughout the year.
