Cornwall

Crackington cracker walk

A close up of pink thrift growing above the water at Boscastle — Spot coastal wildflowers on your walk | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Explore a scenic stretch of North Cornwall’s coastline on a walk leading you from Crackington Haven’s sandy beach to memorable vistas of Cambeak Headland and the cliffs beyond, before returning via the sheltered woodlands of Ludon Valley. Intriguing rock formations and varied wildlife are just some of the highlights you’ll discover on the way.

Near to

Boscastle

Start point

Crackington Haven car park, grid ref SX143968

Address
Crackington Haven, Bude, Cornwall, EX23
Directions via Google Maps
By bus
GoCornwall route 95 regular service between Newquay and Bude.
On foot
The South West Coast Path runs south along the North Cornwall coast, passing through Bude and then onto Crackington Haven.
See website for more info
Cycling
Route 3 to Wainhouse Corner, then 3 miles (4.8km) to start of walk along minor, quiet roads with some hills.
See Sustrans for details
By road
11 miles (17.7km) from Bude on the A39.
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Crackington Haven car park, grid ref SX143968
Stage 1
From the car park in Crackington Haven (not National Trust), cross the road bridge and follow the South West Coast Path south (clearly marked with an acorn symbol).
Soay sheep and wildflowers
Soay are a traditional, rare breed of sheep with large curled horns. They graze the clifftop heath and grassland in winter, along with goats and cattle. This helps to limit the growth of scrub so rare wildflowers can flourish. Colourful blooming wildflowers cover the rich maritime grasslands on the clifftops in spring and summer, including kidney vetch, birds foot trefoil, tormentil and thrift. In autumn look out for the purple and yellow blaze of gorse and heather.
Stage 2
The path climbs to cliffs above Tremoutha before descending into a series of small, hanging valleys, with footbridges crossing the streams.
Stage 3
Just below Cambeak Headland there is an option to cut up a permissive path through a spur valley to your left, rejoining the main coastal trail a short way further on. The coast path itself climbs a steep slope to Cambeak Headland where there are far-reaching views. Continue on the coast path with the vast under-cliff and bays of Little Strand beach and Strangles beach below you.
Stage 4
Optional route: When you reach a sign pointing to Strangles car park (200m inland), there is a path to your right to Strangles beach. This route is steep in places, with steps and a rocky descent, but it rewards you with golden sands, intriguing rock formations, smooth striped pebbles and interesting flotsam and jetsam.
Stage 5
Follow the path off the coast path and inland to a minor road, then bear left, skirting around the north side of Trevigue Farm to a pond on the left.
Stage 6
Walk towards the white cottage on the right and go through the gate set in a stone wall to the left of the white cottage. Descend into the Ludon Valley across open fields.
Stage 7
Turn left at the valley bottom and head north alongside a stream towards Crackington. Stay on the path as it enters woodland, keeping the water to your right.
Stage 8
Cross two footbridges at the far edge of the woodland before following a quiet residential track back to the car park.
End point
Crackington Haven car park, grid ref SX143968
Trail map
Crackington cracker walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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A path cutting through dense overgrowth on either side

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Cornwall, PL35 0HD

01840250353

boscastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

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