1. Lansallos to Lantic Bay
Once one of Cornwall’s biggest smuggling spots, The 5-mile circular walk begins at Lansallos and throws you straight onto the winding coastal path past the old coastguard lookout to West Coombe, with paths leading down to some small coves before following the coast around to Lantic Bay, I recommend a stop here! The return route crosses fields and woods to Trevarder and follows small lanes, tracks and footpaths across the fields to a wooded valley and then back to Lansallos Church.
Miles: 5 miles. Route: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate to Demanding
Description: This coastal walk offers stunning sea views with some steep climbs and descents, making it moderately challenging, car parks might be busy.
2. Rame Head to Whitsand Bay
One of Cornwall’s hidden gems on the Rame Peninsula, the walk takes you from the shelter of Plymouth Sound, around rugged Rame Head to the vast sandy sweep of Whitsand Bay. The bay is shrouded in history, from the chapel where the Armade was first spotted, and the Napoleonic fort at Polhawn, to the remains of the Iron Age promontory.
For best sunset viewings I recommend finding a spot on Rame head overlooking Whitsand bay in time to watch the local fishing boats, sometimes you can even see porpoises playing in their wake.
Miles: 4.5 miles Route: Linear
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: This walk features dramatic coastal scenery with some hilly sections. It’s moderately challenging with fantastic views over Whitsand Bay.
3. Cheesewring to Bodmin Moor
The Cheesewring is an incredible stack of large flat granite boulders on Stowes Hill. They look as though they have been deliberately stacked with a pillar to support an overhang. This is a very mystical area of Cornwall.
This is a circular walk starting at Minions following round to the Hurlers and on to Cheesewring, prepare for well-preserved mining infrastructure, amazing rock formations and a unique series of stone circles.
Miles: 3 miles Route: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate to Demanding
Description: This walk includes rough moorland terrain and significant elevation changes, particularly around the Cheesewring and Stowe’s Hill areas.
4. Looe to Polperro
This is one of my favourite walks exploring some of the better known fishing villages of Cornwall. Starting at Hannafore in West Looe, head for the farm gate and follow the coastpath, the first part is across flat fields and has beautiful views of Looe Island.
Follow the coastline to Talland bay, with its several beaches and a lovely beachside cafe. Follow the coastline round to what is a fairly steep incline then follow the signs for the coast path to Polperro, explore before catching a bus back to Looe.
Miles: 5 miles. Route: Linear
Difficulty: Hilly/Demanding
Description: A challenging section of the South West Coast Path with steep ascents and descents, but rewarded with beautiful coastal views and picturesque villages.
5. Calstock to Cotehele
Cornish walk without the coast! What? i hear you ask! This route along the river Tamar shows the other side of this glorious county. From Calstock, enjoy riverside and woodland walking to reach Cotehele House and quay, explore the history of the grand house before retracing your steps back to Calstock for a quick stop in one of the town’s quaint old pubs.
Miles: 3.5 miles Route: Circular
Difficulty: Gentle to Moderate
Description: A pleasant walk along the River Tamar and through the Cotehele estate, mostly flat with a few gentle slopes.
6. Mount Edgecumbe to Cawsand Beach
This picturesque walk passes through the formal gardens of the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park then follows the coast path to reach a magnificent ruin overlooking Plymouth Sound. The route then follows woodland paths and joins the Warn Sandway to Kingsand with views over Cawsand Bay. The walk then climbs up to the Maker Heights to reach Maker Church and then descends through the deer park to complete the circular route.
Highly recommend stopping at the Devenport Inn in Kingsand for a tipple.
Miles: 3.5 miles. Route: Circular
Difficulty: Gentle to Moderate
Description: This scenic walk takes you through the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park to the charming villages of Kingsand and Cawsand, with some gentle hills.
7. Golitha Falls to Sibly Back Lake
A circular walk through the Golitha Falls National Nature Reserve along ancient rights of way to pass around Siblyback Lake where the remains of a medieval field system rises from the water when reservoir levels fall.
Golitha Falls are a series of spectacular cascades and waterfalls along a section of the River Fowey as it makes its way through the ancient oak woodland of Draynes Wood.
Miles: 6 miles. Route: Circular
Difficulty: Gentle to Moderate
Description: Starting at the beautiful Golitha Falls, this walk moves through woodland and open moorland to Siblyback Lake, with mostly gentle terrain and some moderate sections.
