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Walking holidays in Cornwall

Miles of coast and footpath in Cornwall are in the care of the National Trust. Choose your walk and find a place to stay.

Walking holidays at Pentire

Pentire is an exceptionally beautiful headland with far reaching views and managed for wildlife, and includes the Rumps - a distinctive stretch of coast, once an Iron Age settlement. There are a clutch of places to stay here - Pentire Head Farmhouse and neighbouring Pengirt, Stepper View, Overhaven, the Old Farmhouse and semi-detached Pentireglaze West Cottage and Pentireglaze East Cottage.

The sitting room at Pentire Head Farmhouse, Cornwall

Pentire Head Farmhouse 

A handsome Cornish farmhouse with space to gather, perched on the Pentire headland for beaches, walking trails and wildlife.

The exterior of Pentireglaze East Cottage, Cornwall

Pentireglaze East Cottage 

A simple Victorian farmworker's cottage with far-reaching sea views from the garden.

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

Pentire headland walk 

Cornwall

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).

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3.4 (km: 5.44)
Views of the coast, Doyden House and Doyden Castle near Pentire, Cornwall
Trail
Trail

Lundy Bay and Port Quin circular walk near Pentire 

Cornwall

Discover this circular walk along the clifftops of the South West Coast Path, taking in Lundy Bay, Port Quin and views of Doyden Castle and the Rumps headlands.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3.75 (km: 6)
People taking part in a trail run on the Cornwall coast
Article
Article

Running at Pentire 

The Trust10 is a monthly trail run that gives you the opportunity to explore Pentire headland whilst enjoying a challenging run.

Lantic Bay and Lansallos

Take in views of sweeping headlands, winding creeks and rocky outcrops when you walk around Lantic Bay and Lansallos. Linked by the South West Coast Path, you can choose how far you want to go. If you're up for the challenge, vantage out to Polperro on the rollercoaster walk.

The exterior of Fortescue and Pitt, Lanteglos-by-Fowey, Cornwall

Fortescue 

This upside-down cottage was once a stone and slate barn. With wide farmland views, it’s just a 15-minute walk from the rugged Cornish coastline and a scramble down to tiny beaches and coves.

The area surrounding Triggabrowne Meadow Cottage, Cornwall

Triggabrowne Meadow Cottage 

With views across the open countryside and working farmland, Meadow Cottages offers a dreamy rural getaway. Nearby trails include the short 1.5 mile Pencarrow Head walk and the 6.8 mile Polruan to Polperro rollercoaster walk.

Highertown Farm Campsite, Cornwall

Highertown Farm Campsite 

A relaxed campsite near the South West Coast Path and quiet beach at Lansallos Cove.

The view to Pencarrow Head, Cornwall
Trail
Trail

Polruan to Polperro rollercoaster walk 

Cornwall

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

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 6.8 (km: 10.88)

Exploring Roseland

Further west of Lantic Bay is the Roseland Peninsula, an area of creeks, valleys and secluded beaches. It's riddled with footpaths that invite you to discover its military history, magical woodland and sweeping seascapes.

The Gwendra cottages (Gwendra Wartha, Gwendra Granary, Gwendra Dairy Cottage, Mowhay and Hayloft) overlooking the sea, Cornwall

Gwendra cottages 

These traditional farm buildings sit within the old farming hamlet of Gwendra which gives way to the sandy beaches of Pendower and Carne. Take the trail from Carne car park to Nare Head for Bronze age history and stunning seascapes.

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

Carne Beach to Nare Head circular walk 

Cornwall

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.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 4 (km: 6.4)
The exterior of Penhaligon's, Roseland, Cornwall

Penhaligon's 

Penhaligon's is a dreamy thatched cottage tucked away in leafy seclusion down a narrow track. Towan Beach is just a five-minute walk, where you can take the 'Woodland, farmland, sea and quay' circular trail.

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

Porth circular coast and woodland walk 

Cornwall

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

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)
An aerial view of the holiday cottages at St Anthony Head, overlooking the estuary, Cornwall

Tiffy's 

This characterful one-bedroom cottage was once the workshop of the military artificer. It sits on the bottom tip of Roseland in St Anthony Head, where you can discover its military history, the lighthouse and marine wildlife.

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

St Anthony Head circular walk 

Cornwall

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

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)

Walking in Poldark country

Go on set and explore the landscapes made famous in the BBC drama. Discover its rich mining history, rocky coves and sweeping headlands used for filming and stay close to the action in our cottages.

The exterior of Count House Cottage, Botallack, Cornwall

Count House Cottage 

This cosy cottage for two sits close to the dramatic cliffs of West Cornwall, with amazing views over the turbulent Atlantic Ocean. It's surrounded by reminders of its mining past. Follow the Botallack mining walk to see all the highlights.

The exterior of The Canyack, Bosorne, Penzance, Cornwall

The Canyack 

19th-century miner's cottage, The Canyack, is set high on the slopes of the secluded Cot Valley. From here you can walk to Porth Nanven cove and along the coast path to Cape Cornwall.

The exterior and garden at Whitstone Cottage, Penrose, Helston, Cornwall

Whitstone Cottage 

Whitstone is a rare survival of a simple, cob and stone Cornish cottage. It's less than a 30-minute drive to Gunwalloe where Poldark's dramatic shipwreck scene was filmed. Take the 'Silver dollars, shipwrecks and scenic views' walk to discover more.

The abandoned mine engine house of West Wheal Owles at Botallack, Cornwall
Trail
Trail

Botallack and Kenidjack coastal walk 

Cornwall

Explore Cornwall's mining heritage and true Poldark country on the Tin Coast, taking in the Crowns engine houses, clifftop views and the chance to spot Cornish choughs.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3.5 (km: 5.6)

More walking holiday ideas

The National Trust building in Boscastle, with the entrance to The Gaffer and The Clinker down the lane, closest to the lime kiln wall, Cornwall

The Gaffer, Boscastle 

From level, riverside strolls to hikes out onto the cliffs or into the valley, there are all kind of walks from Boscastle and five cottages to choose from.

The side and back of Miller's House, a large slatestone cottage with grassy garden, Cornwall

Miller's House, Cotehele 

The Cotehele estate spans 1,300 acres, with trails along the River Tamar, through the woods and past relics from the area's mining history.

The exterior of Engine House, Trelissick, Cornwall

Trelissick Engine House 

Trelissick is set on its own peninsula, with panoramic views over the Fal estuary. Trails lead along the river and go inland to woodland and grazed farmland.

A view of the camping fields at Teneriffe Farm Campsite, Cornwall

Teneriffe Farm Campsite 

Head an hour or so in either direction for some of Cornwall’s most famous coves and beaches - Mullion Cove and sandy Polurrian and Poldhu to the north, and Kynance Cove to the south. Walk a couple of miles beyond Kynance and you'll reach Lizard Point

Two women drawing a huge sun on the sandy beach at Kynance Cove, Cornwall

Book a holiday

Book a holiday with us and you'll not just have a trip filled with special memories, but you'll help us care for these places well into the future.