Spending time out in nature has been proven to support human health both physically and mentally. After months of being lockdown, we gained a stronger connection to nature and a greater appreciation for what it can offer. Time outdoors allows you to destress and re-connect with yourself. Some of out best conversations and ideas have been when we have gone a walk, it gives our bodies the opportunity to switch off and it has been proven that walking releases endorphins which help us to relax and can improve our mood. If you’ve been sat for too long or been bingeing on Netflix recently, maybe you could really benefit from getting outside and breathing in some fresh air because you will feel so much better, we promise.

We’ve put together a short list of some of our favourite hikes we have walked along the South West Coast Path in Cornwall. The South West Coast Path is 630 miles long and starts in Minehead, Somerset and finishes at Poole Harbour in Dorset. After having read ‘The Salt Path’ by Winn Raynor, the book brought to light this spectacular route and you can walk the whole stretch but will most likely take your 7-8 weeks (current record is just over 10 days!). Cornwalls beaches can get busy during the summer at the popular spots, however if you’re willing to find some hidden gems then putting in some effort might reward you with it all to yourself!

Important tip: Always check the tidal times. The tidal times are the time in the day the tide will be high and low, in some cases this might mean the beach at low tide has plenty of sand to explore but at high tide there might be no beach left at all. Tidal times change throughout the year and is not the same time every day which means it is very important to check the tidal times especially on non-lifeguarded beaches as you should take extra care. Before you set off on your hike, we would recommend that you search for the tidal times online on the met office or Cornwall beaches. Please remember to wear appropriate footwear and bring plenty of water and food with you.

Another useful tip we found for Cornwall was to purchase a National Trust (NT) membership as you will find many car parks owned by them, some of them are included in the list below and could be worthwhile if you plan on visiting any NT car parks as the membership works out to be £6 a month which is cheaper than the cost of all day parking at one of their sites, so it will be worth it depending on what you plan to do.

Most of these routes are just one way and in some of the locations there is a bus route running nearby which I have indicated below if this is available and will require more planning to check you are able to get the last bus back or perhaps plan on getting the bus first and walk back. I would suggest getting the bus there and walk back which will mean that you don’t need to rush your walk to get the bus back.

Poldhu beach to Mullion Cove, Lizard Peninsula
Length 6km, allow 2hrs

This walk is located within the Lizard peninsula which is sprinkled with beautiful coves and beaches along the coastline. The Lizard is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is one of the few places you can spot some of the Britain’s rarest plants. The walk is relatively easy, there are a few steep parts and we would advise that you wear suitable footwear. The walk we did was not circular and we started and finished at Poldhu beach. Alternatively you can start from Mullion cove. There are regular buses that operate along this route from Poldhu to Mullion.

We parked in Poldhu car park which is a decent size and owned by Cornwall Council which you can check prices here. There is a beach cafe and shop on the beach which sells hot drinks, cake and food. We enjoyed the incredible views over the coast and just over halfway you will come across Pollurrion Cove which is a beautiful sandy beach. You could easily spend the day on this beach and is a sheltered beach with incredible views. Follow the path along the coast and you will reach Mullion cove which was originally built in the 1890’s, where now a small fishing fleet reside. You can occasionally spot seals in the harbour and you will be able to see Mullion island which is home to many breeding birds and is a designation Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI). If you are feeling hungry or fancy a treat after the walk there is Porthmellin cafe located near the harbour which sells ice cream and food. There are two privately owned car parks in Mullion cove so you could start your walk from this end and do the walk opposite to what we did. The views along this walk are incredible and coupled with some fantastic beaches along the way you are in for a treat!

2. Wheal Coates to Porthtowan
length 5.2 km allow 2 hrs

This walk is located within the St Agnes heritage coast, well known for its yellow gorse and purple heather blanketed across the land set against the vibrant blue sea. In addition to the incredible scenery along this walk you will also be inspired by the evidence of the Cornish mining hertiage which has withstood the test of time and the elements. We would rate this as an easy hike and will take around 2 hours. This walk is not circular but you start and finish at Wheal Coates car park which is a National Trust car park (see tip above about NT car parks).

Wheal Coates mine is over 200 years old and some of the sites are now designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They are set within a heathland landscape blanketed in purple heather and yellow gorse. From the top you can see across to Porthtowan Beach and at low tide the beach stretches all the way along, which is an iconic view and perhaps you have already seen it on a postcard or online. You can look down the mine shaft which drops down 180m through solid rock and runs out a long distance beneath the sea. Once you pass the lowest engine house, head left and continue along the path towards Chapel Porth Beach. You can walk along the beach at low tide which is great to explore the caves. Please do read the tip in bold above about tidal times and check them if you do decide to walk along the beach. If you plan your walk for low tide you could go along the beach from Chapel Porth to Porthtowan. If it is high tide continue past the car park and back up the hill take a bearing to the right and up the hill towards Wheal Charlotte. You will continue along the path till you reach Porthtowan. This is a lovely little town which is a popular surfing beach and has a tidal pool which is only accessible at low tide and be prepared to clamber over some rocks. There are bars, beach cafe’s and fish and chips if you fancy.

3. Lizard point to Housel Bay, Lizard Peninsula
Length 2.6km allow 1 hour

This walk is not circular but you start and finish at Lizard point National Trust car park (see tip above about NT car parks) which has plenty of spaces but does have a narrow lane leading to it which we managed to get our ford transit camper van down. There are toilets in the car park which are free to use.

We would recommend that you walk towards Lizard point first and explore the old Lifeboat station, this is a great spot to look out of seals, birds and other wildlife. We were amazed by the amount of succulents clinging onto the vertical rock and the colour of the clear blue sea. You will find a cafe and some ice cream shops at this point and the Lizard Point is the most southerly point of Mainland UK!

Once you have finished exploring Lizard Point, walk back up and follow the path to the right which heads towards the Lizard Lighthouse which follows the South West Coast path. Please be careful about wandering off the path as the cliffs are unstable in parts and you can see a large depression which is marked out. Make your way to Housel Bay beach which glows turquoise when the sun comes out. There is a steep climb down to the beach and down the path. We carried on up the hill a little further and found a bench overlooking the lizard peninsula and ate our lunch then we headed back to the car park. You can go on a tour inside the lighthouse which is being run at a reduced capacity due to covid.

4. Porthcurno to Porthgwarra
Length 5.6km allow 2 hours

We’d advise you wear suitable footwear such as trainers or hiking boots as there are thick brambles and gorse along this stretch. Park in Porthcurno car park and follow the signs to Porthcurno beach, once you arrive at the beach there is a path that heads up the cliff to the right, follow this until you reach the Minack theatre. Next to the cafe the path continues along the coast, follow the path until you reach Porth Chapel beach and look out for St Levens Holy Well. Continue to follow the coast path and you will reach Porthgwarra which is a small fishing hamlet well known for being filmed for the TV series Poldark. There is a cafe which you can get food and drink which we bought some tasty pasties which we would recommend, there are also toilets at this point. We carried on a bit further to Hella Point where you can spot a Cornish Chough, Cornwalls national bird.

5. Loe Bar Beach, South Cornwall
Length 6km allow 2 hours

If you want to witness the power of the sea then come to Loe Bar and do not attempt to swim here. The area has a history of many shipwrecks who were caught out in vicious storms and became victims to its power. The large mile long beach holds back water from the River Cover and has formed a lake known as ‘The Loe’. It is Cornwall’s largest natural lake and there is a peace and calm on the banks of the lake with towering sycamore trees bordering the edge. We were impressed by the diverse and hardy plants that clung onto the sandbar.

We parked for free just past Chyvarloe Farm where we started walking down the path towards Loe sand Bar and along the bar and up the hill past Bar Lodge which has incredible views across over to Porthleven. If you have a national trust membership you can park at Penrose Estate. If you fancy a longer walk you can walk all the way around the Lake.

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