Boscastle Circular Walk
A charming harbour village, medieval churches, rugged cliffs and leafy valleys – one of the finest short circuits on the North Cornwall coast.
- Main walk about 4 miles
- 2 hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 111
Cornwall has the longest coastline of any English county and offers everything a walker could want: ancient paths and rights of way made by miners, fishermen and farm workers over the centuries, remote moorland hikes and cliff-top walks with stunning views.
Our walks reflect that variety, from short family strolls along wooded creeks to full days on the South West Coast Path. Many have a beauty that changes with the weather and the seasons – and each walk page includes directions, parking, facilities and places to stay nearby.
Walks in North Cornwall
Dramatic Atlantic cliffs, surf beaches, harbours and old mining country.
Crackington Haven Walks
Folded cliffs, waterfalls tumbling to the sea and some of the highest cliffs in Cornwall – two short but rewarding loops from a sheltered cove.
- Loop 1: 3½ miles
- Loop 1 moderate
- OS Explorer 111
Morwenstow South Circuit
Towering cliffs, deep combes and the driftwood hut of Cornwall’s most eccentric parson – a tough but unforgettable circuit on the county’s remote northern edge.
- About 8 miles
- allow 3½–4 hrs
- Strenuous
- OS Explorer 126
Padstow to Trevone Circular Walk
Headlands, beaches and the Camel Estuary – a classic North Cornwall circuit from the busy harbour of Padstow to the sands of Trevone.
- About 7½ miles
- 3½ hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 106
Pentire Point, The Rumps & Lundy Bay Walk
Twin headlands crowned by an Iron Age fort, seals below the cliffs and views from Trevose Head to Tintagel – one of the finest headland walks in Cornwall.
- About 5 miles
- allow 2½–3 hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 106
Port Isaac to Port Quin Circular Walk
Whitewashed cottages, hidden coves and one of the most up-and-down stretches of the North Cornwall coast – a short walk that feels much bigger.
- Main walk about 5 miles
- allow 2½–3 hrs
- Strenuous
- OS Explorer 106
Trebarwith Strand & Tintagel Circular Walk
Old quarrymen’s paths, a clifftop Norman church and the legendary headland of Tintagel – with a golden beach to finish.
- Main walk
- 1¾–2 hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 111
Walks in West Cornwall & The Lizard
Granite headlands, fishing coves and the most southerly and westerly points of mainland Britain.
Coverack and St Keverne Circular Walk
Beautiful views of Coverack and the best view of the Manacles, where many a ship has been wrecked – a varied circuit on the east side of the Lizard.
- 5 miles
- 3 hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 103
Kynance Cove and Lizard Point Circular Walk
Turquoise water, white sand and red-and-green serpentine rock at Kynance, then the dramatic cliffs of the most southerly point of mainland Britain – one of the classic walks of the Lizard.
- About 6½ miles
- allow 3–4 hrs
- Moderate to challenging
- OS Explorer 103
Lamorna Cove and Mousehole Circular Walk
A granite quarry cove loved by artists, a sheltered nature reserve of old flower gardens, and one of Cornwall’s prettiest fishing villages – a classic circuit on the south coast of Penwith.
- About 5 miles
- allow 2½–3 hrs
- Moderate to challenging
- OS Explorer 102
Mullion Cove and Predannack Circular Walk
Wild heathland, rare plants and seabirds on Mullion Island – a short circuit on the cliffs south of Mullion Cove.
- 3½ miles
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 103
Mullion to Polurrian Cove Circular Walk
Outstanding views over Mount's Bay, cliffs bright with spring flowers and the pretty harbour of Mullion Cove – a lovely short circuit on the Lizard.
- 4½ miles
- 3 hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 103
St Agnes Tin Mines Walk
Engine houses, sandy coves, sheer cliffs and a hilltop beacon – a walk through the heart of the Cornish mining landscape.
- Main walk about 8¾ miles
- 4½ hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 104
St Ives to Land's End Coast Path Walk
The rugged, remote Penwith coast – mermaid legends, Iron Age cliff castles, mining heritage and the most westerly point of mainland England.
- About 24 miles, one way – best split over 2–3 days
- Strenuous in places
- OS Explorer 102
St Keverne, Porthallow and Porthoustock Walk
Views across Falmouth Bay, dramatic cliffs, old quarries and two fishing coves – a varied circuit from the village of St Keverne.
- 4 miles
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 103
The Lizard to St Keverne Coast Path Walk
A long, fascinating day on the coast path from the most southerly point of mainland Britain, past fishing coves and serpentine cliffs to Coverack and St Keverne.
- About 14 miles, one way
- 8+ hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 103
Treen, Porthcurno and Porthgwarra Walk
Granite headlands, turquoise coves, the cliff-top Minack Theatre and the wild moorland coast around Gwennap Head – one of the finest walks in West Cornwall.
- 10 miles
- 5 hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 102
Zennor and Gurnard’s Head Circular Walk
Some of the wildest coast in Cornwall – granite cliffs, hidden coves and a headland fort – with a return across tiny fields enclosed by Cornish hedges since prehistoric times.
- About 4 miles
- allow 2½–3 hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 102
Walks in South Cornwall
Sheltered creeks, wooded valleys and quieter coves along the south coast.
Dodman Point and Gorran Haven Circular Walk
An Iron Age earthwork, a granite cross on the highest headland on Cornwall’s south coast, and two of the loveliest beaches between Mevagissey and the Roseland.
- 4¾ miles
- 3 hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 105
Fowey and Gribbin Head Circular Walk
Daphne du Maurier country – hidden coves, a Tudor castle, the red-and-white Gribbin daymark and the old pilchard harbour of Polkerris.
- 9¾ miles
- about 6 hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 107
Lansallos to Polruan Circular Walk
Secluded coves, white sand beaches and crystal-clear water on one of the loveliest stretches of the south Cornish coast.
- 6 miles
- 3 hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 107
Lerryn and St Winnow Riverside Walk
A delightful walk in all seasons, away from the crowds – wooded valleys clothed in bluebells in spring and a riverside church on the Fowey.
- 5½ miles
- 2½ hrs
- Easy to moderate
- OS Explorer 107
Polperro and Talland Bay Circular Walk
A short, rewarding loop from one of Cornwall’s best-loved fishing villages – smuggling tales, a clifftop war memorial and the two sheltered coves of Talland Bay.
- 3¾ miles
- 2 hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 107
St Anthony Head and Place Circular Walk
Lighthouse, Victorian gun battery and some of the finest estuary views in Cornwall – a walk round the very tip of the Roseland Peninsula.
- 6 miles
- 3 hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 105
Walks in East Cornwall & Bodmin Moor
Moorland tors, stone circles and the wooded Tamar Valley.
Cadson Bury and the River Lynher Walk
Ancient riverside woodland, a medieval granite bridge and the grassy ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort with sweeping views over the Lynher valley.
- About 1½ miles
- 1 hr
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 108
Cotehele and Calstock Riverside Walk
Riverside woods, old daffodil slopes and engine houses, a folly with far-reaching views and a Tudor house on the banks of the Tamar.
- Main walk about 2 miles
- 1½ hrs
- Easy
- OS Explorer 108
Minions Railway and Quarries Walk
A varied circular walk through the industrial landscape around Minions, following the old Liskeard and Caradon Railway track bed, climbing a mining incline and crossing open moorland to Gold Diggings Quarry.
- About 3½–4 miles
- 2–2½ hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 109
Minions and Caradon Hill Walk
Old mineral tramways, towering engine houses and wide views over Bodmin Moor – a circuit of Caradon Hill through the heart of the South Caradon copper mining district.
- 4 miles
- 2 hrs
- Easy to moderate
- OS Explorer 109
Minions to the Cheesewring Walk
A circular walk across one of the richest prehistoric and industrial landscapes on Bodmin Moor, linking The Hurlers, the Cheesewring Quarry, Daniel Gumb’s Cave, Stowe’s Pound and Rillaton Barrow.
- About 4 miles
- 2–2½ hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 109
Mount Edgcumbe Circular Walk
Historic gardens, woodland follies and a coast path with grandstand views over Plymouth Sound – all a short ferry ride from Plymouth.
- Main walk about 4.3 miles
- 2½ hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 108
Rame Head and Cawsand Circular Walk
A medieval chapel on a lonely headland, Queen Adelaide’s Grotto and views from Plymouth Sound across Whitsand Bay to Looe – starting from Cornwall’s old smuggling villages.
- About 5½ miles
- 2¾ hrs
- Moderate
- OS Explorer 108
Map of walks in Cornwall
Markers show the approximate start of each walk – click a marker for details.
Before you set out
Carry the OS Explorer map for your walk – paths and signs can change, and mobile signal is patchy in places.
Check the weather and tide times; some routes cross beaches that are cut off at high tide.
Keep to the path and away from cliff edges, and check the South West Coast Path website for any diversions.
Keep dogs on a lead near livestock and check seasonal dog restrictions on beaches.
All walk information is given in good faith and for guidance only.
Walking in Cornwall – FAQs
Yes. Each walk lists the Ordnance Survey Explorer map that covers it. Carry the map (or a mapping app with offline maps) as paths, signs and field boundaries can change.
Most of the coastal and countryside walks are suitable for dogs, but keep dogs on a lead near livestock and cliff edges, and check seasonal dog restrictions on beaches between spring and autumn.
The South West Coast Path is a 630-mile National Trail running from Minehead to Poole Harbour, following the whole Cornish coastline. Many of the walks on this page use sections of it.
Coast path walks often involve steep climbs and descents into coves, uneven ground and exposed cliff tops. Allow more time than the distance suggests, wear proper footwear and check the weather and tide times before you set out.
Every walk links to holiday accommodation nearby, and our accommodation guide lists holiday cottages, B&Bs and campsites across Cornwall, many with dogs welcome.