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Is Cornwall walkable?

We look after miles of coast and footpaths for walking around Cornwall. Circular walks taking in the South West Coast Path are popular for good reason – but you'll be rewarded if you head inland too, with hilltop views and peaceful parkland.



Cornwall is exceptionally walkable, particularly for those who enjoy dramatic coastal scenery and rugged trails. The county is home to a significant portion of the South West Coast Path, which offers hundreds of miles of well-marked footpaths following the entire shoreline. Popular routes include the stroll from Port Isaac to Port Quin or the scenic path between St. Ives and Hayle. While the coastal paths involve many steep climbs and descents, there are also flatter "multi-use" trails like the Camel Trail, which is ideal for a more leisurely walk or cycle. Many of Cornwall's historic towns and villages, such as Padstow and St. Ives, are best explored on foot due to their narrow streets and limited parking. For a successful walking holiday, it is essential to have sturdy boots and waterproof gear, as the weather can change rapidly. While the interior is more rural and often requires a car to jump between hubs, the coastline remains a premier destination for hikers in the UK.

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On average it takes 7-8 weeks to walk the Cornish coastline, at around 330 miles, and the South West Coast Path takes you the whole way around.

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Open top coaster services. Cornwall's open top coaster services run in several coastal areas, linking popular towns, beaches and attractions across the county, allowing visitors get around the country without the need of a car and soak up the scenery as they go.

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Open top coaster services. Cornwall's open top coaster services run in several coastal areas, linking popular towns, beaches and attractions across the county, allowing visitors get around the country without the need of a car and soak up the scenery as they go.

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Newquay is on the South West Coast Path overlooking seven sandy beaches with spectacular sea view walks all along the coastline. The coastal path follows the cliffs which border most of our beaches so in many cases you can choose to either walk the paths or on the beach.

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We'd recommend visiting Cornwall for at least three days, such as over a long weekend. However, a better amount of time would be around a week which would give you more time to see more of Cornwall's highlights.

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Many are surprised it can take around 2 hours to drive from one end of Cornwall to the other. Cornwall's major route is the A30 – a fast road made up largely of dual carriageway, travelling along the central backbone of Cornwall all the way to Penzance, with A roads spurring off to serve the north and south coast.

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Cornwall is home to some of the best beaches in the UK and in the world, so it is no surprise that it is a popular location for sea swimming. Sea swimming has so many health and mental benefits, not only stimulating the body but allowing you to appreciate the wonderful surroundings we have in the UK.

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Cornwall is fine. Just go slow and be prepared to back up. If you come to a passing place, slow down and see if anything is coming so you can pull in easily. A lot of the roads are fine but there are definitely some narrow bits.

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