What better way to see the amazing coastline of our beloved county than to walk along our coastal path and take in the incredible views. There are walks for dogs, families and romantic couples, the dramatic coastline and beautiful countryside provide the perfect backdrop for any occasion.
The other brilliant thing about walks are they are free so make for fantastic activities for the whole family for the weekend. Being outside is a great way to see family or friends at this difficult time. Enjoy our guide to some of the best places to walk in Cornwall.
South West Coast Path Walk- Mullion Cove to Lizard Point & Village
This walk is in one of the most popular parts of Cornwall. You will certainly be able to soak in some of the most beautiful sites that Cornwall has to offer. The walk along the South West path is a 7 mile walk in total so plan your time around that. You could even walk a few miles and then back again depending on how long you want to walk.
Starting from Mullion Cove and finishing at the Southern most point of Britain, The Lizard, you will be able to see many beauty spots along the way. The coves and coastline are simply stunning all along here and you will even walk along Kynance Cove which is one of the most gorgeous beaches in Cornwall. A fabulous walk for all ages, do be careful with dogs as the path is on cliffs at some points.
Cardinham Woods
Nestled deep into the countryside near Bodmin Cardinham Woods is a fantastic place for a day out. There is a lovely cafe, picnic area and play area for the kids to use. The woods are dog friendly so it is also a perfect place to take the dogs for a run out.
There is a large car park with a pay machine that you can park in on-site as well as toilets. There are multiple different walking trails – depending on how long you want to walk for and who is walking with you. There is a stream that runs through the centre of the woods, a great place for the kids to play in. Cardinham Woods is quite sheltered so ideal for all weathers too
Perranporth to St Agnes Coastal Walk
Perranporth Beach is a massively popular beach close to Newquay and Truro. St Agnes is just up the coast and you can walk between the 2 towns. The walk is 3.5 miles long but you can tailor the length and route depending on how long you want your walk to last. The views will take your breath away along this bit of coastline.
Both of the towns of Perranporth and St Agnes are beautiful towns, you will find some amazing pubs, one of which is actually on the beach at Perranporth. There are plenty of choices for children and dogs too along the way so perfect for the whole family to enjoy.
Tintagel King Arthur Walk
This incredible piece of Cornwall is steeped in myth and history. This area is fantastic for children especially because you can learn so much along your way. Of course the area is just amazingly beautiful and the scenery will blow you away.
The walk is 3.7 miles long along the coast path and you can see the famous castle ruins as well as the statue. This is one of the countries most visited attractions and you can see why. You will learn about King Arthur and all the legend that comes with this amazing part of history.
Zennor Circular Walk
This walk is a bit more challenging so we only really recommend it for those with a bit of stamina. The 5 mile walk will test you as you will encounter boulders and rougher terrain. However everyone that does this walk feels a great sense of achievement and says it is well worth it for the incredible views.
The walk will feature magnificent wild flowers and dramatic coastlines as well as amazing colours in the autumn. There is also plenty of wildlife along the way too. There are flocks of kittiwakes and terns flying all around the area. A fantastic walk but not for young children.
Bodmin Moor
There are many different walks that you can do on Bodmin Moor. The moor is in the centre of Cornwall and is the where rivers such as the River Fowey start. There are some fantastic points of history as you walk around the moor. There is the stone circles, cairns and other relics. The cheesewring which is a weather sculpted granite tor.
There are also walks to Roughtor and Brown Willy which is the highest point in Cornwall. Obviously the moor is a great place for families as there is a lot of space, however just be mindful that there is wildlife roaming around so children and dogs need to be careful. There are so many amazing walks around Bodmin Moor it really offers so much.
Newquay Coastal Walks
There are a number of walks arounds Newquay’s coastline. The main walk around is about 5 miles long but you can stop off at any point and enjoy some of the fantastic beaches, shops, bars and restaurants. Newquay has 7 beaches and each one has its own charm so you can stop off and have an explore along the way if you choose.
Fistral beach is probably the most famous beach, there is Pentire headland overlooking Crantock beach too. You can walk around the coastal path all the way along to Lusty Glaze and Porth Beach which also has a fantastic headland you can walk along as well as a great pub on the beach. If you check the tide times it is also possible to walk across the bay too. A fun and free activity to do in Newquay whatever the time of year.
Culm Coast Walks – Between Bude and Hartland
This amazing piece of coastline is not that well known but provides a perfect place to take a long walk with some incredible dramatic scenery. The location of this stunning coastline is between Bude and Hartland. It is thought that it is one of the toughest parts of the coastal path but ideal if you are experienced walkers or fancy a challenge. The reward of course is the fabulous views and other things to see along the way.
A fantastic walk whatever the weather, the Culm Coast will also deliver on all sorts of extras. You will see dramatic rock formations, waterfalls, shipwrecks and rivers. All this as well as a Roman Chapel and Iron Age remains. This walk really does have it all. Again though we recommend this for more experienced walkers.
Looe to Polperro Coastal Walk
Looe is a popular place to visit in Cornwall due to it’s beauty and amazing coastline. This coastline walk is a fantastic walk for the whole family. If you decide to do the whole walk it is 5.4 miles and then you can grab a bus back from Polperro. Polperro is a beautiful fishing village and you can stop off there after your walk and soak up the Cornish harbour and cuisine if you like.
On the walk itself there is plenty to explore along the way. You can play in the rock pools and you will also see shipwrecks too. There is also a 6th century monastery. What a stunning walk along the amazing South Coast in Cornwall, with loads to do for the whole family.
Maenporth to Swanpool Beach
This short walk near Falmouth is just 1.7 miles, so you can easily walk along the coast and then back again if you wanted to. Both the beaches of Swanpool and Maenporth are stunning and you can spend the day exploring both beaches at each end of this beautiful walk. An added bonus of this walk is the nature reserve that sits behind it so you can guarantee that you will see some wildlife on your journey.
Both beaches have white sand and rock pools to explore in and are ideal for families with small children. Of course the walk being a shorter distance also makes it a good walk for families. The beauty of this walk is that it is ideal no matter what the season as the stunning scenery changes throughout the year but still remains fabulous.
