10 Stunning Coastal Walks in Cornwall You Need to Try

Cornwall's dramatic coastline, with its towering cliffs, golden beaches, and historic landmarks, makes it one of the best places in the UK for walking enthusiasts. Whether you're after a short scenic stroll or a more challenging hike, Cornwall's coastal paths have something for everyone.

To help you navigate these stunning routes, the iWalk Cornwall app is an excellent digital walking guide. It uses GPS to lead you along the route, providing real-time directions and updating as you reach each waypoint. This removes any worries about getting lost while offering local insights and historical information along the way. Each walk is described in detailed step-by-step directions, making it the perfect companion for exploring Cornwall on foot.

Using some of the best iWalk Cornwall routes, we've put together a list of ten stunning coastal walks that showcase the very best of Cornwall's breathtaking landscapes. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just looking for a casual day out by the sea, these walks are a must-try for anyone who loves Cornwall's coast.

1. St Ives to Zennor – A Rugged Coastal Adventure

🗺 Distance: 12.1 miles (circular)
📈 Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

One of Cornwall's most famous coastal walks, the route from St Ives to Zennor takes you along rugged terrain with awe-inspiring sea views. Starting in the picturesque harbour town of St Ives, you'll follow the South West Coast Path along rocky cliffs and secluded coves.

This walk offers a fantastic combination of wild landscapes, rich wildlife, and Cornish legend. As you approach Zennor, don't miss Zennor Quoit, a Neolithic burial chamber, and the historic Tinners Arms pub, which dates back to 1271. The route then loops inland, taking you through the Cornish countryside before returning to St Ives.

🔗 Route details: iWalk Cornwall – St Ives to Zennor

2. Crackington Haven to Boscastle – The Shipwreck Coast

🗺 Distance: 7 miles
📈 Difficulty: Strenuous

If you love dramatic coastal scenery, this route is for you. The walk from Crackington Haven to Boscastle takes you along Cornwall's highest cliff, High Cliff (731ft), offering incredible panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.

This area, often called the Shipwreck Coast, has a fascinating maritime history. You'll pass secluded beaches like The Strangles, known for its rock formations and hidden caves. The route finishes in Boscastle, a charming fishing village with a rich smuggling past. Make sure to visit the Boscastle Witchcraft Museum for an unusual end to your adventure!

🔗 Route details: iWalk Cornwall – Crackington Haven to Boscastle

3. Watergate Bay to Newquay – A Beach Lover's Paradise

🗺 Distance: 4 miles
📈 Difficulty: Easy to moderate

This shorter route is perfect for a relaxed coastal walk, passing some of Cornwall's best beaches. You'll start at Watergate Bay, famous for its two-mile stretch of golden sand and vibrant surf scene. From there, the path follows a series of stunning clifftops and leads you past the sea caves of Whipsiderry Beach before reaching the iconic Fistral Beach in Newquay.

Along the way, you'll also discover Trevelgue Head, an Iron Age hillfort offering impressive coastal views. If you're feeling adventurous, why not dip your toes in the sea or grab a post-walk bite at one of Newquay's seafront cafes?

🔗 Route details: iWalk Cornwall – Watergate Bay to Newquay

4. Seven Bays Walk – Exploring Trevose Head

🗺 Distance: 6.8 miles
📈 Difficulty: Moderate

This scenic circular walk explores the Seven Bays coast, a stretch of coastline named after its seven picturesque beaches. The route starts in Harlyn Bay and takes you to Trevose Head, where you'll find a lighthouse and breathtaking sea views.

Expect dramatic cliffs, quiet sandy bays, and plenty of wildlife. The route loops back past the charming fishing port of Padstow, making it an ideal walk if you want to combine coastal scenery with some Cornish seafood.

🔗 Route details: iWalk Cornwall – Seven Bays Walk

5. Lelant to St Ives – Beachfront Bliss

🗺 Distance: 4.3 miles
📈 Difficulty: Moderate

One of the most scenic short walks in Cornwall, this route follows the beaches from Lelant to St Ives. Along the way, you'll pass Porthkidney Sands, a vast and often empty beach, followed by Carbis Bay, one of Cornwall's most beautiful and sheltered bays.

This walk is best done at low tide, as you can walk directly along the beaches. It's dog-friendly and suitable for all fitness levels.

🔗 Route details: iWalk Cornwall – Lelant to St Ives

6. Perranporth to St Agnes – A Journey Through Cornwall's Mining Past

🗺 Distance: 4.7 miles
📈 Difficulty: Moderate

This walk takes you along ore-rich cliffs, where Cornwall's mining history meets spectacular coastal landscapes. You'll pass ruins from Nobel's dynamite works and even one of the best-preserved WW2 Spitfire bases in Britain.

St Agnes is a UNESCO-listed mining heritage site, so this walk is perfect if you love history and scenery in equal measure.

🔗 Route details: iWalk Cornwall – Perranporth to St Agnes

7. Boscastle to Tintagel – A Legendary Landscape

🗺 Distance: 5.5 miles
📈 Difficulty: Moderate

Explore Cornwall's legendary coastline with this stunning walk from Boscastle to Tintagel. The route passes dramatic rock formations, hidden coves, and King Arthur's mythical castle ruins.

Tintagel is one of Cornwall's most famous sites, but arriving on foot makes the experience even more magical.

🔗 Route details: iWalk Cornwall – Boscastle to Tintagel

8. Harlyn Bay to Padstow – Clifftop Serenity

🗺 Distance: 6.7 miles
📈 Difficulty: Moderate

Starting at Harlyn Bay, this walk follows a rugged clifftop path towards Stepper Point, a scenic headland overlooking the Camel Estuary. The route then continues to Padstow, making it a great choice if you want to enjoy a delicious seafood meal at the finish.

🔗 Route details: iWalk Cornwall – Harlyn Bay to Padstow

9. Porthcothan to Bedruthan Steps – A Walk Through Giants' Footsteps

🗺 Distance: 6.8 miles
📈 Difficulty: Moderate

This walk offers spectacular views of the rock stacks of Bedruthan Steps, often described as stepping stones for giants. With wildflower-filled cliffs and sweeping beaches, it's one of Cornwall's most photogenic walks.

🔗 Route details: iWalk Cornwall – Porthcothan to Bedruthan Steps

10. Mevagissey to Charlestown – A Historic Harbour Walk

🗺 Distance: 7.6 miles
📈 Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

This route connects two of Cornwall's best-preserved harbours, passing secluded beaches and hidden coves along the way. Charlestown, a UNESCO-listed Georgian harbour, is the perfect place to end the walk.

🔗 Route details: iWalk Cornwall – Mevagissey to Charlestown

Cornwall's coastline is truly one of the most breathtaking in the world, and these walks offer a perfect way to experience its natural beauty, history, and wildlife up close. Whether you're looking for a short and scenic seaside stroll or a challenging clifftop adventure, there's a route for everyone to enjoy. From the mythical landscapes of Tintagel to the golden sands of St Ives, every step along these trails tells a story of Cornwall's rich heritage and rugged charm.

If you're planning your next coastal walk, don't forget to check iWalk Cornwall for detailed route maps, difficulty ratings, and insider tips. With so many stunning paths to explore, there's always a new part of Cornwall's coastline waiting to be discovered. So, lace up your walking boots, pack a picnic, and set off on an adventure along Cornwall's spectacular shores!