Here to hike

West Cornwall

Hiking routes for those who love the great outdoors.

You see so much more when you explore on foot, and there’s plenty to inspire you to get out there. The South West Coast Path is particularly popular with walkers. It weaves around the entire coast of Cornwall, with some of the most scenic sections in the West Cornwall area.

You could explore the Tin Coast, walk around the cliffs at the Minack Theatre, plunge your boots into the deep sands at Porthcurno beach, or visit the beautiful Porthgwarra Cove, which was a filming location for the TV series Poldark.

In this itinerary, you’ll find challenging hiking routes that take you further afield to lighthouses, fishing coves and ancient sites. We’ve also included a few places to eat, because every great walk should finish with a cosy fire and a hearty meal.

Activity level: Energetic
Duration: 2-3 days

You can mix and match from the suggested activities to create a great day out during your stay. If you were to do all the activities on this itinerary, the estimated duration is given above.

Please note: You will need to contact the venue or experience provider directly to book.

Click on each individual experience and find out more about its accessibility and public transport connections, along with an eco tip.

Create your own inspiring itinerary

If you would like to build your own itinerary, head to the Experience page. You can add your favourite experiences to a bespoke itinerary, which can be downloaded or sent to your email address. Please note: This is for inspiration purposes only and does not create a booking. You will need to contact the venue or provider directly to book.

Things to do

South West Coast Path

Treen coastal walk

Explore a traditional Cornish village and enjoy a spectacular coastal walk. In Treen, you’ll find granite cottages, the Logan Rock Inn and the perfectly balanced rock that gives the pub its name. From the cliffs, you can continue along the coast path to the soft sands of Porthcurno beach and the dramatic Minack Theatre. Keen to pull on your walking boots? Follow these South West Coast Path guides – short walk, longer circular route.

National Trust

Tin coast walk

Experience Cornish mining history in the real world, where engine houses stand tall against a backdrop of the vast Atlantic Ocean. The Tin Coast walk follows seven miles of rugged coastline in West Penwith, which has been designated a World Heritage Site. On the walk, you can explore three National Trust sites: Botallack, Cape Cornwall and Levant Mine. Find out more here.

Archaeoastronomy Cornwall

Archaeoastronomy and heritage walk

How did our ancestors try to make sense of the night sky? During this fascinating guided walk, you’ll explore the ancient sites of West Penwith to discover their connection with astronomical events. The Archaeoastronomy and Heritage Walk takes you to barrows, ancient stone circles and more. Find out more about Carolyn’s tour and book here.

South West Coast Path

Penzance to Marazion (Walk/Cycle)

You don’t need a car to have a coastal adventure in Penzance. This gentle 2.7-mile walk from Penzance to Marazion follows the recently upgraded coast path and enjoys views across Mount’s Bay to St Michael’s Mount (see route here).

While you’re gazing out at the water, it might surprise you to learn that below the waves lies the remains of an ancient forest. To bring this secret landscape to life, local artist Emma Smith has created a site-specific artwork, ‘Gwelen’. You will find her wooden ‘seeing sticks’ dotted along the coast path. The installation is accompanied by a podcast, which will introduce you to Emma Smith and her work.

Walk with us app

Six lessons in walking a tightrope

Technology meets captivating storytelling in this self-guided walk along the Penzance promenade. The Walk With Us app combines augmented reality with narratives about coastal erosion and climate change to create a whole new way of seeing the landscape. You’ll walk along the ‘tightrope’ listening to the narrator, pausing at specific moments to look at the images through your phone. Find out more here.

Places to Eat

Logan Rock Inn

Traditional village pub

The Logan Rock Inn is a 16^th century pub in the small village of Treen, not far from Porthcurno. It’s the perfect place to retreat to after a long walk along the coastal path, with a roaring fire, plenty of local ales and a menu of home-cooked food, including a popular Sunday lunch. Find out more and book your table here.

St Just

Café Dog and Rabbit

Visiting West Penwith? Start your day of discovery at Café Dog and Rabbit. You’ll find this lovely, hidden gem of a café just off Market Square in St Just. Pop in for a hearty brunch, a warming bowl of soup or a big slice of cake and soak up the friendly atmosphere. You’re welcome to bring your dog too. Find out more here.

Essential Information

Places to Stay

Retreat to a cosy self-catering cottage or book a stylish hotel in the heart of town. Discover the perfect seaside stay for your winter in Cornwall.

More inspiration?

Visit out of season and step into an adventure. Explore our entire collection of inspiring itineraries and plan a great day out.

Accessibility

Many of the activities in our itineraries are accessible. Click on each individual experience to find out more about its accessibility. We advise that you contact the venue or experience provider in advance to confirm. You can also find information about accessible venues through Access Cornwall.

Local knowledge

Enjoy updates from local experts and find information about upcoming events.

Getting around

Discover the many ways you can get out there and explore without relying on your car.

Positive impact

We’re hoping to make every stay as sustainable as possible. Find out more here.

Itinerary last updated on March 8th, 2023

This listing has been curated by the EXPERIENCE West Cornwall team and was correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We advise that you contact the venue or provider directly to confirm any seasonal opening details and to book the experience.