Walk
The coast path is right here for you to enjoy with so many routes to stroll, hike or run, the choice is yours. Here are some of our favourites, but you can visit the South West Coast Path or iwalk websites to plan your routes.
Port Isaac to Port Gaverne
The circular walk starts at the cliff-top car park in Port Isaac and descends to Port Gaverne, then follows the valley behind Port Gaverne and climbs through farmland to the top of the hill where there are excellent views over the valley and Port Gaverne. The route then descends into the neighbouring valley and crosses Roscarrock Hill, following the coast path around Lobber Point to Port Isaac, with magnificent views of the harbour. The walk returns past Port Isaac harbour and through the village then via the cliffs overlooking Port Isaac. We love to stop at Port Gaverne for a swim and refreshments at the Pilchards café.
Port Isaac to Port Quin
Head out of Port Isaac past Doc Martins house on the coastpath that leads you between the sea inlets of Port Isaac and Port Quin, a marvellous path of tumbled cliffs and convoluted hills. Plenty of climbs and descends between the two! Port Quin has a slightly haunted air about Port Quin today. It is a remote, silent place, yet in 1841 nearly 100 people lived here in a village of over 20 households. Now only a few cottages remain, not all of them occupied permanently.
Port Isaac to Portreath (and get the bus back)
An invigorating walk around some rocky headlands, with secluded coves along the way, and spectacular views across Port Quin Bay to the Mouls. Also featuring a nineteenth century crenellated folly, an abandoned village and the remains of a once-thriving antimony mine at Gilson's Cove. An inspiring route in the springtime, when puffins, gannets and kittiwakes nest noisily on the cliffs, the flowers on the gorse are fresh and bright, and birds call from the blossom-clad bushes.
Port Quin to Polzeath
This is a circular walk taking in beautiful coastline and dramatic scenery. It begins in Port Quin and takes the coastal path to Polzeath. The return back is via peaceful and idyllic country roads. There are some sections where it may be busy with cars, so be aware, but overall it's a quiet and rather pleasant escapade in the countryside.
Port Quin to Lundy Bay
Starting from Port Quin, the route follows the edge of the natural harbour to the folly at Doyden Point. From there the path passes the mineshafts that were once used to extract antimony, on its way to Trevan Point which is now grazed by Dartmoor Ponies. The path then descends to the beaches of Epphaven Cove and Lundy Bay. The return to Port Quin begins beside the collapsed cave and crosses fields via Porteath Bee Centre to join a small lane to Port Quin.
Rock to Polzeath
The walk follows the dunes from Rock to Daymer Bay and Trebetherick Point where the wreckage of vessels which foundered on the Doom Bar is still scattered. The walk then joins The Greenaway path to Polzeath passing some small coves where a very patient search might be rewarded with a tiny cowrie shell. The return route follows the stream up the valley from Polzeath then crosses golf courses and fields to reach St Enodoc Church and then Rock via the dunes.
Padstow to Harlyn
The first mile, out to Gun Point, is suitable for people with impaired mobility or with a pushchair, and can be followed in reverse for the return journey. It’s a long walk, on mostly level terrain, although the route becomes more challenging and rugged after Gun Point. The dramatic coastline around Stepper Point includes an enormous collapsed sea cave at Roundhole Point, and it is a good walk for older children who can do the distance, passing several sandy beaches as well as smugglers' caves. A good walk on a windy day in autumn, when flocks of kittiwakes and terns fly past on their way south and gannets can be spotted offshore. It is a fine walk for dogs too, as it passes a beach and pubs where dogs are welcome. We can’t do this walk without a visit to The Pig Hotel gardens for a cocktail and their Lobster Shack, perfectly located above the beach at Harlyn.