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Mawgan Porth Beach – Newquay Harbour loop from St Columb Major

Routes

Running trails & routes

Mawgan Porth Beach – Newquay Harbour loop from St Columb Major

Hard

runners

Mawgan Porth Beach – Newquay Harbour loop from St Columb Major

04:48

41.1km

650m

Running

Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 18, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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4.67 km

Carnanton Woods

Forest

8.46 km

Mawgan Porth Beach

Highlight • Viewpoint

Mawgan Porth is a much quieter alternative to the very busy Newquay. With gorgeous sand and stunning clifftops, its a surprise that it doesn't get more crowded when it's only 4 miles from Newquay. Even at high tide there is a lot of sand and life guards are present during the summer (May till September).

There are pubs, restaurants, shops and cafes nearby and it is a Sunday Times award winning beach.

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10.7 km

View of Watergate Bay

Highlight • Viewpoint

12.3 km

Watergate Bay

Highlight • Viewpoint

Watergate Bay is a beautiful two mile stretch of sand and a popular surfing spot. There are lifeguards in summer (May to September) and weekends up to October.

Watergate Bay boasts a hotel, surf school and cafe, The Hangout, just south on the B3276.

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17.0 km

View of Tolcarne Beach from Narrowcliff

Highlight • Beach

18.7 km

Newquay Harbour

Highlight • Beach

Newquay Harbour is tucked between the headlands and showcases sandy beaches and colourful fishing boats. From the harbour you can take short walks up to Towan Headland or further along to Fistral Beach, and for a longer trek, the South West Coast Path. There are cafés and local seafood spots nearby.

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19.0 km

Huer's Hut

Highlight • Structure

This small building perched high above the sea at Towan Head is of uncertain age. Some estimates put its origins as early as the 14th century however the current building is probably mid 19th century. It may have originally been used as a hermitage.

Named after the Huer, an important figure in the pilchard fishing industry that once thrived in Newquay. The Huer would watch out from his high vantage point for the shoals of fish to arrive in the bay and then call out to the town by shouting 'Heva, Heva'. The seine boats with their long nets would be launched at once but then had to rely upon the Huer for directions. Holding 'Furze bushes' in his hands the Huer would direct the boats so they could first locate and then surround the fish.

At first just an oval shape building, a forecourt with five foot walls was later added to its seaward side. The original door facing more towards the habour was blocked up and a new doorway made opening on to the forecourt.

Owned by the Lord of the Manor Col. Treffry it was leased to the Council in 1906 for 983 years at the cost of one shilling per year. When the Council took pocession they converted it into a public shelter by widening the doorway and considerabley reducing the height of the forecourt walls. Today the now Grade II listed building has iron gates locked across the doorway and can no longer be use for shelter

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