South West Coast Path — Sections 26–28: Porthleven to Helford landscape

Photo by BEN ELLIOTT on Unsplash

South West Coast Path — Sections 26–28: Porthleven to Helford

~3 days · 38.4 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance38.4 mi
Days out3
Elevation gain8,776 ft
Gain / mile229 ft
High point249 ft
Difficulty index27/100

What the South West Coast Path — Sections 26–28: Porthleven to Helford is known for

Sections 26–28 of South West Coast Path is an official 59.1 km point-to-point section from Porthleven to Helford.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the South West Coast Path — Sections 26–28: Porthleven to Helford on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 33 ft to 712 ft over 38.4 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 13.7 mi · 36%
  • Downhill 13.2 mi · 35%
  • Flat 11.0 mi · 29%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

How hard is the South West Coast Path — Sections 26–28: Porthleven to Helford?

27 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the South West Coast Path — Sections 26–28: Porthleven to Helford scores 27/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the South West Coast Path — Sections 26–28: Porthleven to Helford take?

Most backpackers hike the South West Coast Path — Sections 26–28: Porthleven to Helford in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 38.4 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the South West Coast Path — Sections 26–28: Porthleven to Helford?

The South West Coast Path — Sections 26–28: Porthleven to Helford climbs roughly 8,776 ft total — about 229 ft per mile, topping out near 249 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

Plan the South West Coast Path — Sections 26–28: Porthleven to Helford Plan Free →