A person walks along the South West Coast Path at Wheal Coates in Cornwall, with the blue sea and a sandy beach visible beneath them. — The South West Coast Path and beach at Wheal Coates in Cornwall | © National Trust Images/Hilary Daniel

Walking in Cornwall

We look after miles of coast and footpaths for walking around Cornwall. Circular walks taking in the South West Coast Path are popular for good reason – but you’ll be rewarded if you head inland too, with hilltop views and peaceful parkland.

If you fancy a stroll that could start or finish with a hot drink, here are the top places to stretch your legs.

A low wooden bench looks out over a broad river, surrounded by oaks and other trees in leaf

Trail

Lanhydrock Great Wood and Beech Avenue walk

Lanhydrock is home to a wide variety of veteran and ancient trees. This gentle circular walk lets you take in the sweeping views across the woods. Head to the Park Café to warm up with freshly made food and drink.

Twisting oak branches covered in autumnal leaves frame the view of a calm, broad estuary with boats anchored

Trail

Trelissick to Roundwood Quay secluded stroll

Wander tree-lined riverside paths, peeping through twisting oak branches to glimpse your destination of Roundwood- home to an Iron Age fort and 18th-century quay. The café is open to welcome you after your wondering adventures.

View across the coastline from Port Quin near The Rumps at Pentire, Cornwall

Trail

Pentire headland walk

Enjoy a walk that takes in the spectacular Pentire Point and the Rumps. The circular route starts at the main car park at Pentireglaze where there are toilets and a café (check for opening).

View of the quay and river with boat moored up at Cotehele, Cornwall

Trail

Cotehele circular walk

Explore the Cotehele Estate on a circular walk and discover hidden places along the route that are a haven for wildlife. The Edgcumbe Tea-Room and Barn Restaurant will be waiting with a warm welcome after your walks.

Trail

Gunwalloe kiosk to The Stables cafe

This long leisurely out & back walk follows the wild coastline from Gunwalloe to the heaped shingle beach at Loe Bar and through the woodland at Penrose to The Stables cafe, and back again.

A path cutting through dense overgrowth on either side

Trail

Boscastle and the Valency Valley walk

Explore the cliffs above Boscastle's medieval harbour before traversing the peaceful woodland and riverside path in the Valency Valley on this wonderful walk

View to the east along the coastline on a sunny summer day at Pentire, Cornwall

Trail

Pentire headland walk

Enjoy a walk that takes in the spectacular Pentire Point and the Rumps. The circular route starts at the main car park at Pentireglaze where there are toilets and a café (check for opening).

Trail

Botallack mining walk

Discover Cornish mining heritage on this beautiful one mile walk around Botallack.

A view over the beach at Carnewas at Bedruthan on a sunny day

Trail

Carnewas at Bedruthan coast walk

A moderate walk taking in a remarkable stretch of the north Cornwall coast, with views of the dramatic cliffs overlooking the Bedruthan Steps and the sheltered Porth Mear cove.

A view towards Godrevy lighthouse at sunset with cliffs to the right of the image

Trail

Godrevy to Hell's Mouth coastal walk

For a walk steeped in local history that leads you across clifftop pathways with glorious ocean views, try the Godrevy to Hell's Mouth coastal walk.

A view of the beach at Holywell, Cornwall

Trail

Holywell beach walk

Explore one of the most picturesque beaches in the UK and enjoy great views out to sea on the Holywell beach walk.

Hawker's hut, Morwenstow, where Reverend Hawker would smoke opium and write poetry

Trail

Hawker's Hut walk, Morwenstow

This gentle clifftop walk encompasses breath-taking views of North Cornwall's coast and a visit to Reverend Hawker's famous hut.

Two people walking on the coast path above Towanroath Shaft pumping engine house, part of the Wheal Coates mine, near St Agnes, Cornwall

Trail

Wheal Coates tin mining walk

Explore the remnants of Wheal Coates's tin mining history, while taking in beautiful views of the Atlantic, on this short circular coastal walk.

Coast path from Lundy Bay toward The Rumps, Pentire, Cornwall

Trail

Lundy Bay walk

Just a mile or so before you reach New Polzeath, there's a sheltered valley where light woodland and scrub lead to a gem of a rocky bay, with sandy coves at low tide.

views towards Pentire point and the Rumps

Trail

Lundy Bay and Pentire walk

A circular walk at Pentire headland with an abundance of wild flowers and birds to spot, as well as clifftop views of the Rumps. There are toilets and a café at Pentireglaze, part way along the route.

A view of the Milky Way from Chapel Carn Brea, Cornwall

Trail

Chapel Carn Brea stargazing walk

Choose a clear night to take this short circular walk to the summit of the most south-westerly of the West Penwith hills and soak up the starry beauty of the dark skies.

Abandoned Beam Engine Houses at Botallack

Trail

Levant to Botallack and Higher Bal walk

Follow this 4-mile walk along the South West Coast Path and discover more about the mining industry in this area.

A sea view from the cliffs at Carnewas at Bedruthan

Trail

Carnewas bus route walking trail

Carnewas at Bedruthan has a bus stop within a couple of minutes walk. This trail takes in the breathtaking views of the giant rock stacks and further along the coast towards Trevose Head.

A walker with her dog at Trevose Head, Cornwall

Trail

Walk to Trevose Head from the bus stop

Trevose Head offers stunning coastal views and the chance to spot a variety of wildlife. This walk will take you there from the bus stop at Harlyn.

View of bay with clear blue sea and grassy headland beyond

Trail

Lantivet Bay circular walk

Discover a landscape with a rich fishing and smuggling heritage on this circular walk around Lantivet and Lantic bays in Cornwall.

The sandy shoreline of Carne Beach, Cornwall, backed by grassy cliffs.

Trail

Carne Beach to Nare Head circular walk

Explore a wooded valley and look out for signs of local history before taking in the far-ranging views at Nare Head on the Nare and back again walk.

Visitors walking along the coastal path at Kynance Cove, Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall

Trail

The Lizard coastal walk

Starting from the beautiful Kynance Cove, get close to nature and enjoy dramatic scenery on the Lizard coastal walk,

Trail

Polruan to Polperro rollercoaster walk

A strenuous walk high above turquoise seas and white sandy beaches, and through prime fishing and smuggling territory.

Mouth of the Fowey estuary showing The Gribbin and St Catherine's Point, Cornwall

Trail

Covington walk in the Fowey estuary

A circular walk around the Cornish harbour town of Fowey on this National Trust trail taking in heritage highlights and views across the estuary. It's the perfect place for a stroll with plenty of places to stop for a picnic too.

Aerial view of Dodman Point, Cornwall, in autumn

Trail

The Dodman long loop trail

Explore a 3–mile circular walk at Dodman Point, the highest headland on Cornwall's south coast and see far-reaching views and wildlife from its peak.

Rocky, grass-topped cliffs drop down to the golden sandy beach at Porthcurno Cove, Cornwall, with rocky cliffs stretching away into the distance

Trail

Porthcurno circular walk

Savour special views, Second World War defences and communications history landmarks on this gentle circular walk along the Cornish coast.

A sandy cove, Porthcew Beach, flanked by rugged Rinsey cliffs

Trail

Rinsey walk

Explore the coast and countryside around Rinsey, on this circular 1-mile (1.6km) walk, and see a mix of landscapes, including remains from the area's mining heritage.

A sandy beach, a sloping cliff and St Anthony Head lighthouse in the distance

Trail

St Anthony Head circular walk

This short circular walk presents dramatic scenery along tree-lined pathways and from clifftop vistas.

Trail

Lizard peninsula rare flora and fauna walk

Take a short walk around the western side of the Lizard Peninsula for stunning coastal scenery and a chance to spot rare plants, birds and other wildlife.

Sunset over Falmouth and the Carrick Roads estuary, with silhouettes of pine trees at Messack Point in the foreground

Trail

Messack creek and woodland walk on the Roseland

Explore a circular waterside walk from St Just in Roseland church, up St Just Creek and out to Messack Point, with views over Falmouth and the Carrick Roads.

Image shows a wooden waymarker signposting the Riverside Footpath at Porth, with green foliage in the background and blue skies above.

Trail

Porth circular coast and woodland walk

Enjoy this circular walk along the coastal path at Porth, Roseland, passing through farmland and woodland, with long-reaching views and clifftop vistas.

Image shows a group of people walking through a field on Bosigran Farm in Cornwall, with views over the countryside visible in the background.

Trail

Bosigran circular walk

Explore an ancient landscape steeped in mining history on this circular walk around Bosigran, Cornwall, with far-reaching coastal and moorland views.

The view out to sea from Struddicks in south east Cornwall

Trail

Struddicks circular walk

Explore the rugged Cornish coastline, unkempt wilderness, sea views, coastal ponies and other resident wildlife on this short but demanding circular walk that starts in Seaton, Cornwall.

Looking over to the net loft, a grey stone building perched on a rocky promontory, at Polperro from the harbour

Trail

Chapel Cliff walk

Discover a mysterious 19th-century boat house, old fishmen's shelters, and origins of St Peter's Chapel on this short but tough walk along the rugged coastline from Polperro, Cornwall.

Looking over to Blackbottle Rock near Lantic Bay, Cornwall

Trail

Blackbottle Rock picnic walk

This short but beautiful jaunt along the Cornwall portion of the South West Coast Path runs along the cliffs overlooking Blackbottle Rock, close to Lantic Bay.

Trail

Plantations and parkland walk

Enjoy a wild ramble through the woods at Penrose, followed by a gentle stroll through the Victorian parkland.

Trail

Lanhydrock Parkland walk

Get to know Lanhydrock's varied parkland on this moderate circular walk, as you explore its paths through woodland, riverside and open pasture – plus the striking Beech Avenue.

View over the countryside to the sea from Godolphin Hill, West Cornwall

Trail

Godolphin Hill walk

This gentle ramble up to the top of Godolphin Hill will reward you with some of the most impressive views over West Cornwall you can find.

Stony woodland path running through steep-sided valley beside rushing river

Trail

Rocky Valley walk, Tintagel

Follow this gentle trail down through rocky bluffs to Bossiney Bay, close to Boscastle, Cornwall.

Trail

Cotehele circular walk

Explore the National Trust's Cotehele Estate on a circular walk and discover hidden places along the route that are a haven for wildlife in Cornwall.

Trail

Trelissick to Roundwood Quay secluded stroll

Wander tree-lined riverside paths, peeping through twisting oak branches to glimpse your destination of Roundwood – home to an Iron Age fort and 18th-century quay.