SW7221 : Goonhilly Earth Station At Sunset

Goonhilly Down

114m Elevation
54m Prominence
England Country
Find walking friends Explore routes

Good walks are even better shared.

SW7221 : Goonhilly Earth Station At Sunset

James T M Towill Photo source

Explore routes near Goonhilly Down

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Lizard to Kyanace Cove Out and Back

4.7 km ~2h Moderate

View route

Porthcurno and the Minack Theatre

8.3 km ~3h 30m Moderate

View route

Ropehaven Cliffs and Black Head

3.4 km ~1h 30m Moderate

View route

Padstow to Trevone coastal circular

12.3 km ~3h 30m Moderate

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station Access Road

A scenic route starting from the Earth Station car park, this pathway leads gently uphill through terrain rich in local flora and fauna, ideal for a leisurely stroll or a brisk hike.

2.5 km ~1.5 hours Easy
Browse more walks on the map

Make a day of it, together

Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.

Find walking friends Plan a walk here
Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

100-199m hill

Elevation

114m

374 ft

Prominence

54m

Coordinates

50.0475, -5.1780

SW725212

OS Map

204

Explorer: 103

At the Summit

At the summit, hikers will find a trig point that offers a perfect photo op. A range of satellite dishes from the nearby Earth Station can also be spotted, providing a unique technological juxtaposition against the natural landscape.

Terrain & Geology

Grassy with rocky outcrops; expect some uneven surfaces but nothing too challenging.

Goonhilly Down is primarily composed of granite, typical of the Cornish landscape. The ground is sprinkled with remnants of ancient volcanic activity, offering a glimpse into the geological history of the region.

Views & Scenery

Spectacular views of the Lizard Peninsula, Mounts Bay, and on clear days, the Isles of Scilly can be seen in the distance. It's quite the sight, so remember to bring your binoculars!

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Goonhilly' is believed to derive from the Cornish 'Goon' meaning hill or eminence, perhaps suggesting that the locals were quite fond of their elevated space.

Historical Significance

Goonhilly Down has historical significance as it houses one of the world's first large-scale satellite earth stations, which has played a vital role in global communications since the 1960s.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

The nearest parking is at the Goonhilly Earth Station visitor car park, which is well signposted from the main roads.

Public Transport

The nearest bus stop is in the village of Ruan Minor, with limited services connecting to nearby towns like Helston and Falmouth.

Nearby Facilities

After your hike, you can grab a bite at the nearby Goonhilly Earth Station café, which serves delightful Cornish cream teas. Public toilets are also available on site.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Occasional livestock on the paths, so keep your wits about you and maybe leave a snack or two in your rucksack for the curious sheep.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Goonhilly Down?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Goonhilly Down through the maps

Are there other walkers around Goonhilly Down?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Goonhilly Down search or of course create your own walk for Goonhilly Down

Can I organise a walk to Goonhilly Down?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Goonhilly Down.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Goonhilly Down?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Goonhilly Down here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: SW725212

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

Brown Willy

420m

 Brent Tor

Brent Tor

334m

 High Willhays

High Willhays

622m

Rhossili Down - The Beacon

193m

 Dunkery Beacon

Dunkery Beacon

520m
See 5 more nearby hills