Four amazing walks in South Cornwall, with stunning coastal panoramic views that will live long in the memory…
Walk one: Maenporth circular via Helford Passage; 8 miles (more if you visit the gardens en route)
Begin in Maenporth beach where there is a car park and refreshments at the Life’s a beach cafe. Head southwards on the coastal path. You quickly rise over the cliff and after around 20 mins you arrive at the atmospheric Bream Cove.
Here there is an option to turn right and follow a track to the Meudon Hotel. It’s a steep ascent but the hotel gardens are just incredible. Lush and green and like the other two gardens on this route it also leads down to a cove making it feel even more magical. This is the first of three gardens with beaches you will pass on this walk. In summer, the Meudon hotel also runs a refreshment stall called the Bream Box just above the beach.
Keep following the path that hugs the coastline and Rosemullion Head. You then pass many more beautiful coves such as Grebe which is a perfectly sheltered swimming spot.
At Durgan you can visit the National Trust Glendurgan gardens or a little further along the path there is the privately owned Trebah gardens.
Once you arrive at the pretty Helford Passage village don’t miss the opportunity to stop at the Ferry Boat Inn which serves wonderful food overlooking the Helford River. There is a water ferry here if you have time, taking you to Helford itself on the Lizard Peninsula. Here you can visit more pretty coves accessed by walking along the South West Coast Path through Bodlembob woods. For the famously quiet and atmospheric Frenchman’s Creek head westwards further up the Helford River.
On the return follow the path back to Saxon Cove and then take the pathway heading for Mawman Smith. This passes through a pretty woodland to the village. From here you pass through the village before following the footpath signs on your right. This path takes you over the fields back to Maenporth where your walk began.
Walk two: Porthcurnick to Carne Beach and back along the South West Coast Path; around 6 miles
This is a stunning coastal walk passing beautiful unspoilt beaches with superb outdoor cafes.
Begin at the Hidden Hut cafe (half a mile from the village of Portscatho and directly above Porthcurnick beach). We enjoyed morning coffee at The Hidden Hut, and also picked up pasties to take with us on our walk.
We followed the South West Coast Path northwards stopping at the long sandy Porthbean beach. From there it is about a mile and half to Pendower beach where you’ll find another fabulous cafe called the Shalilkabooky.
If the tide is out you can walk between Pendower and the next beach which is called Carne Beach. From here you can continue northwards to Nare Head which is about another two miles.
We, however, returned back to Porthcurnick retracing our steps.
Walk three: Portscatho circular via St Anthony Head; 10 miles
We started our day with breakfast at Tatums for coffee and breakfast overlooking the sea. From here, walk southwards past the harbour on your left and continue to the end of the road until you meet the coastal footpath which is on your right.
After two miles of spectacular coastal scenery you reach Towan Beach, a long sandy beach with rock pools. Here, you will find the Thirstea cafe just above the beach, this is the only option for refreshments on this walk (you also pass it on the return). After refreshments continue walking along the coastal path and you will soon see St Anthony Head in the distance.
We saw seals in the small cove near Killigerran Head. The fabulous, long and wild Porthbeor beach (currently inaccessible) is just ahead of you. You soon reach the St Anthony Head. Follow the path around the headland, with views over the River Fal estuary which now open up in front of you. From here there are idyllic, sheltered swimming spots such as Molunan Cove with still, calm, turquoise waters.
Follow the path around and you soon see St Mawes to your left. You pass Place Manor and Place Jetty, continue through the woodland with wonderful views of the Percuil River and Porth Creek. The path takes you directly back to the Thirstea Cafe. From here the walk is familiar for the last couple miles back to Porthasco.
Walk four: Fowey to Gribbin Head circular – 4 miles
This stunning walk west of Fowey takes you along coastal paths, woodland and open green fields. You pass incredible quiet coves and charming beaches along the way.
Begin the walk by climbing the steps at the end of the picturesque Readymoney swimming cove (complete its own swimming platform) up through Covington woods towards St Catherine’s Castle where you find the most tremendous views over the Fowey River, coastline and the small town of Polruan which you will see on the other side of the river estuary.
Follow the South West Coast Path for a mile and a half to the beautiful Polridmouth/ Menabilly Cove which is set within the Menabilly Estate. This area greatly inspired the writer Daphne du Maurier, who spent childhood holidays here. From here you can see the red and white Daymark beacon landmark at Gribbin Head. Continue along the path and up the steep hill to the landmark.
Return the same way until you reach Polridmouth Cove again. From here you take the left hand footpath at the end of the cove up through the woodland and away from the coastline. The path eventually reaches a lane. Turn right here and the path takes you over green fields and through the woodland back to Readymoney Cove.
You may also be interested in;
South West Coast Path: section four – The Lizard to Looe, Cornwall
Kynance Cove on the Lizard Penninsula