The best walks in Cornwall for 2023 (2023)

One of the most popular places in the UK,CornwallIt has long been a British favorite for summer holidays and weekend breaks.

With the rise of vacations at home, many are visiting the South County for its expansive coastline, idyllic towns and villages, and opportunities for adventure vacations. Many choose to travel one of the region's routes to combine them all.

Towns and villages such as St Ives or Padstow are picturesque starting points, while famous beaches and nature reserves, such as Kynance Cove or Land's End, offer great views on your walking tours of the county.

While the UK is generally blessed with hundreds of great walking routes, from the Lake District to the Yorkshire Dales, Cornwall has scenic routes to rival any area in the country.

Below we've put together a list of the best of these routes, taking you past some of the best views in the UK.

Lizard Coastal Walk

this trajectoryit starts atKynance bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, and takes you tolizard point, the southernmost part of the British mainland. The seven-mile loop takes you along the cliffs of the Lizard Peninsula until you reach Bass Point Old Signal Station, from where you head inland to Lizard Village.

From here you can choose to finish or continue the last part of the loop back to Kynance Cove where you can reward yourself with a splash in the water or just relax on the beach. With a time of about three hours, this is the perfect morning or afternoon walk if you want to do something else for the rest of the day.

Where to stay

Housel Bay Hotel is an excellent choice for a convenient stay near Lizard Point. Many of the rooms in this Victorian building, as well as the restaurant, have relaxing views of the Atlantic Ocean, and the Cornish Coast Path runs through the grounds, providing easy access to some of the county's most impressive attractions.

Away from San Miguel

This 20-kilometer route is believed to have been used by pilgrims and missionaries who wanted to avoid the treacherous waters of Land's End on their pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.Spain. Starting at Lelant (nearSan Ives), bisects the southwestern tip of the province and passes through itTrencrom Hill(famous for its sweeping views of land and coastline) and the village of Ludgvan.

At the end of the path it ismountain of saint michael, a tidal island that is one of Cornwall's most famous landmarks. The castle and church at the top of the island can be visited if you time it right, with the causeway route only passable at low tide.

Where to stay

On the outskirts of Marazion, The Godolphin has an excellent restaurant with stunning views over St Michael's Mount. The terrace and bar offer more opportunities to enjoy the sea view, but booking one of the six sea view rooms is the best way to make the most of the surroundings.

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End of the Earth Circuit

One of the longest routes in the county is the Land's End Circuit, which traverses the whole of the southwest corner of Cornwall, starting in Penzance and finishing in St Ives. The length can vary depending on how far you want to go, with the full coastal route being around 20 kilometers (so it's best to take at least two days, depending on experience and fitness).

The sights and towns you will discover make it worthwhile for anyone wanting to see the highlights of South Cornwall. Picturesque towns such as Newlyn or Porthcurno are among your first stops, followed shortly by Land's End and Sennen Cove. There are beautiful views of the coastlineZennor head, as you finish in St Ives, one of Cornwall's busiest seaside towns.

Where to stay

With its own spa and private beach area, Carbis Bay's location and amenities make for a true five-star stay. The outdoor pool and indoor restaurant also have wonderful sea views, while the rooms are simply but pleasantly decorated, with features such as floor-to-ceiling windows.

Porthcurno at Land's End

Generally considered a slightly easier route, this hike (part of theSouthwest Coastal Route) To start withPorthcurnobeach, with a turquoise bay and golden sand dominated by steep cliffs.

After a quick bath you can go to theTeatro Minack(an impressive open-air theater opened in 1930) before possible stops at Porthchapel and Nanjizal beaches. The final stretch to Land's End is fairly straight forward, where you can end your five-mile journey with a few drinks in the pub.

Where to stay

The aptly named Land's End Hotel is located just half a mile from Land's End, perched on granite cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The decor is simple with a few maritime accents, matching the quiet atmosphere of the hotel.

Trebarwith Beach and Port Isaac

Another part of the South West Coast Path, this route passes through some of the most picturesque parts of the Cornish coast along a seven-mile route. Starting in the narrow valley of Trebarwith Strand, the route has many ups and downs as you enjoy stunning sea views and small villages. The best spots are Dennis Point, Backways Cove, Port Isaac Bay andPuerto de Gaverne.

With a population of just over 700, Port Isaac doesn't offer the variety of Padstow or the atmosphere of St Ives, but you do get great views of the surrounding countryside (and the filming location forDoctor Martin) and the opportunity to stroll through the quiet and winding streets.

Where to stay

The village of Port Gaverne has an impressive hotel of the same name. It is housed in a 17th century building with a comfortable seaside atmosphere. No two rooms are the same, and with the beach on your doorstep there's no better place to relax away from the hustle and bustle.

the camel trail

An 18-mile route along a disused railway line, thecamel trailcorre between Wenfordbridge,bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow in the north of the county. It caters to walkers, cyclists and horse riders and is generally divided into three sections between each of the towns (the section between Bodmin and Wenfordbridge being the longest, just over six miles).

HePadstowThe section to Bodmin is approximately 20 kilometers long and is a popular alternative to completing the full route. Although there are sea views for the first few parts of the walk, much of it is reserved for the moors, Camel Valley Forest and Camel Estuary. It's also a wildlife hotspot, with otters, dormice, kingfishers and bats among the animals that live along the trail.

Where to stay

With an entrance on the Camel Trail, the Bodmin Jail Hotel is a convenient option for a unique stay. The prison is a popular attraction and the hotel retains (and painstakingly preserves) many of its original features, including stone walls and cell doors.

Boscastle en Tintagel

One of Cornwall's most historic walks, it starts in the small fishing villageForest Castle, where a quick visit to the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic can begin the historic part of the route. This five-and-a-half-mile route offers all the views you'd expect, including Ladies' Window (and Trevalga Cliffs), Rocky Valley, and Bossiney Cove.

After crossing the Willapark and Barras Nose headlands, you soon reach Tintagel Island andtintagel castle- said to be the place where the legendary King Arthur was conceived.

Where to stay

The Camelot Castle Hotel makes the most of the legend, but certainly offers accommodation and views fit for a king. The hotel even features a replica of the legendary Round Table, but the real draws are the coastal views, proximity to Tintagel Castle (0.3 km) and elegant decor.

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