Top 7 Cornish coastal walks

From untamed and tempestuous cliff tops to soft, sandy beaches and pretty fishing villages, Cornwall’s coastline has a walk for everyone – here are seven of the best

1 PORT ISAAC TO TREBARWITH STRAND

The north coast fishing village of Port Isaac bustles with holidaymakers in the summer months. But head east on the coast path and you’ll have solitude in abundance. Plenty of ups and downs make this a tough walk, but the pains of the trail are quickly forgotten with a pint at The Port William in Trebarwith Strand as the sun sets over the Atlantic. 7 miles.

2 ZENNOR TO ST IVES

From a sleepy hamlet to the clamour of a famous fishing port, this exhilarating walk passes over some of the county’s most rugged coast. It’s hard walking, as the path yo-yo’s up and over cliffs to clock up a wearying 446m of ascent. But it’s worth it – remote, peaceful and beautiful. 6.25 miles.

3 MOUSEHOLE TO ST MICHAEL’S MOUNT

This may not be the classic Cornish coastline, but this stretch, starting from pretty Mousehole, has charm all of its own. Hug the coast past the large Newlyn Harbour to join Penzance Promenade and the art-deco Jubilee Pool. Sample the salt waters of this restored lido, then continue on to St Michael’s Mount. Walk across the causeway at low tide, or hop on a ferry to explore this striking historic island. 7 miles.

4 THE LIZARD: KYNANCE TO CADGWITH

Cornwall’s famously beautiful cove is a mirage of pale sand and serpentine rock. From here, the path leads over high, wildflower-stippled grassland to the lighthouse at Lizard Point. Winding up and down to the Cadgwith Cove Inn, the walk ends in a fishing village of pretty thatched cottages. 5 miles.

5 ST ANTHONY TO PORTHCURNICK BEACH

Hop off the St Mawes ferry at the leafy hamlet of St Anthony, and set off along the twinkling coast of the ravishing Roseland Peninsula. Leave time for a dip at Porthbeor, a crab sandwich in pretty Portscatho, and a cream tea at the Hidden Hut on Porthcurnick Beach. 7 miles.

6 FOWEY TO LANTIC BAY

It’s hard not to feel a sense of summer as you chug across the brackish waters of the River Fowey to Polruan on the other side of the estuary. From here, the coast path rises on to cliffs, soon reaching the sandy shores of Lantic Bay. Descend to the beach on the eastern side of the bay for an afternoon of swimming, sand castles and seaside sandwiches. 2 miles.

7 POLPERRO TO LOOE

This waterside ramble along Cornwall’s south coast rolls across verdant cliff tops between two picturesque fishing harbours. Leave the steep hillsides and holiday cottages of Polperro to the east, passing sandy Talland Bay and tree shrouded Looe Island, open to day visitors in the summer, before arriving at the vibrant town of Looe. 5.5 miles.