Our picks of the South West Coast Path
The South West Coast Path offers some of the most spectacular hiking in the UK and we are fortunate to have the best of it right on our doorstep here in Cornwall. Here are our best bits...
Gurnards Head
Zennor to Gurnard’s Head
Distance: 4.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Beautiful and rugged clifftop walk with stunning views along the North Cornish coast with a pub at either end. The circular walk starts at the car park in Zennor, weaves down to the coast, where you head west and follow the footpath along the winding clifftops until you reach The Gurnard's Head, a peninsula jutting out into the ocean (and well worth an explore). At Gurnard's Head there is an optional diversion onto the headland and the walk then follows a footpath inland to the Gurnard's Head pub at Treen – one of our absolute favourites! Stop for lunch or refreshments, then once you're ready to depart, head overland via the footpaths across the fields, back northeast to Zennor. It's an old church path so fairly well trodden and an easy hike at this point.
Picnic Spot: Spoilt for choice with The Gurnards Head and The Tinners Arms punctuating each end of the walk - or stop for an ice-cream at the much-loved Moomaid of Zennor!
Boats at Coombe - Image: iWalk Cornwall
Coombe and Old Kea Circular Walk
Distance: 4.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Beautiful walk with a maze of creeks, inlets and stunning scenery along the banks of the river Fal. The walk begins by following Cowlands creek with views over Trelissick Gardens and the surrounding area. The route then turns inland past some beautiful country houses with the most quintessentially ‘English Country Gardens’ you’ve ever seen, and then into Old Kea where you’ll find a fascinating church and ruined medieval church tower. The walk then descends the Truro River to its confluence with the River Fal and completes the circle on woodland paths overlooking the creeks.
Picnic spot: Along the Fal riverbanks at Coombe
Constantine Bay
Constantine Bay to Porthcothan
Distance: 4.9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
A circular walk between Constantine Bay to Porthcothan via nature's swimming pool at Treyarnon beach and a spectacular series of islands, headlands and tiny coves named after wine and pepper smuggled there. The route follows the coast from Constantine Bay to Treyarnon beach, then past a series of deep inlets to the sheltered, sandy beach at Porthcothan. The return route is fairly quick, via some lanes, so you can linger on the coastal stretch and explore the headlands between the inlets, or the beaches at low tide.
Picnic Spot: There are a number of benches overlooking Constantine and Treyarnon Bay
St Just Church - Image: Visit Cornwall
St Just-in-Roseland to St Mawes
Distance: 6 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Full of historical points of interest such at St Mawes Castle (built by Henry VIII in 1540 as one of a pair), this circular walk offers unbeatable coastal views across to Falmouth, up the Fal and Percuil rivers and back up St Just Creek. The walk starts at St Just in Roseland carpark, which is a very special 13th century church set within sub-tropical gardens on the site of a 6th century Celtic chapel. The route then follows the edge of Carrick Roads to St Mawes, where it continues on the harbour-front before meandering up the Percuil River to the bluebell woods of Bosloggas and finally returning along the National Trust permissive path through the fields of Tregear Vean.
Picnic Spot: One of St Mawes many delicious cafes or restaurants overlooking the harbour…
Cadgwith Cove - Image: Classic Cottages
Kennack Sands to Cadgwith Cove
Distance: 3.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
This circular walk begins at Kennack Sands where serpentine boulders cover the beach and follows the coastal path to the picturesque Cadgwith Cove, dotted with charming thatched cottages and fishing boats. Here you can stop for a stroll on the beach and have some lunch in the Cadgwith Cove Inn before continuing your walk. The route back to Kennack Sands goes inland to Ruan Minor church and returns via Poltesco Mill, Kugger and follows a footpath across the fields to Gwendreath, finally following a woodland path back down to the coastal path by Kennack Sands. A great way to spend a sunny day on The Lizard!
Picnic Spot: Kennack Sands, Carleon Cove or any beautiful clifftop spot