The best coastal walks in Cornwall
Boasting almost 300 miles of coastline, with more than 300 beaches, it’s no surprise that Cornwall is one of the most popular UK holiday destinations. Nothing beats a breath of fresh sea air whilst listening to the sounds of the sea, which is just one of the countless reasons people book caravan holidays in Cornwall.
While many choose to relax on the golden sands and secluded coves, another great way to get out and experience the expansive coastline is by getting active and taking a walk. Whether you choose a gentle stroll or fancy an adventurous ramble, you’ll find fantastic vantage points and be able to access secret beaches that the majority are unaware of.
If you have particular destinations in mind, you can use the South West Coast Path distance calculator to work out how far you will have to walk, but for those who haven’t, we’ve picked a few of our favourites for you.
Easy Access
We appreciate that not all walks along the coast path are suitable for everyone, but there are a number of routes which can be taken by those with mobility problems and who have wheelchairs, pushchairs or mobility scooters.
Boscastle Harbour offers a wonderful route that takes in the picturesque surroundings of North Cornwall, and is also the site where the 2004 floods occurred. It’s a great location for spotting birds of prey, and is also an area which is said to have provided inspiration for Thomas Hardy’s early novel, A Pair of Blue Eyes. The surface is thought to be generally good, and there are a number of facilities along the 0.7-mile section of the path, including places to get a refreshment and a disabled toilet.
Also, it is worth bearing in mind that there are a number of ‘Tramper’ rugged mobility scooters available to hire through the Countryside Mobility Project.
Easy
Those looking for a relatively easy stroll will enjoy the level walk across farmland that can be found near Padstow at Stepper Point. Experience spectacular views of the Camel Estuary while keeping an eye out for the wonderful wildlife that you may be able to spot along the way. This a great route for bringing along a four-legged friend, although it is asked that your dog is kept on a lead when passing any livestock, especially during spring.
This section of the path leads to the Day Mark lookout tower, which can look particularly beautiful when the sun is setting, or dramatic on a dark and blustery day. Those taking this route are also highly advised to stop by Lellizzick Farm in order to enjoy a traditional cream tea to fuel for the walk ahead.
Moderate
An idyllic walk for those on Looe and Polperro holidays is one which heads towards Talland Bay, where smugglers would once go to hide their hauls in the church. Starting in the charming fishing village of Polperro, the route heads along footpaths and country lanes, with an option to detour along to one of two beaches that can be found at Talland Bay. In the summer months, the water is a delightful turquoise blue and is very sheltered, making it the perfect spot for a picnic.
You can find out all about the contraband which was stored in the area at the Heritage Museum in Polperro, which you will find nestled in the narrow streets of white-washed cottages that the village is renowned for. There are also a couple of lighthouses that can be seen when walking, including one at the top of Reuben’s Walk, and one which can be seen on a clear day nine miles off the coast of Rame Head.
Challenging
Those who fancy a challenge will be well suited to the hike from Constantine Bay to Mawgan Porth, which has a path with plenty of ascents and descents. The route is extremely rewarding; on finishing the seven-mile trek, walkers will be greeted with the stunning beach, which is popular with families and surfers alike. Upon reaching the destination, there is a bus which can be caught back to your starting point in Constantine Bay, which also stops at the coastal village of Porthcothan for those that wish to explore further.
Passing along the ragged rocky coastline, the path takes in some of the most breathtaking scenery that Cornwall has to offer, which includes prehistoric cliff castles, fascinating rock pools and impressive headlands. This is a fantastic route to take at any time of year, although it is particularly beautiful during autumn due to the birds that can be spotted on the clifftops.
This content was written by Alex Jones. Please feel free to visit my Google+ Profile to read more stories.