Land's End to Sennen Cove
Distance 1.3 miles
Start Sennen Cove Car Park, grid ref SW354263. Finish Point Lands End – SW342254
Downloadable route
Sennen Cove draws a vast number of visitors to its golden sand, but many miss the great vistas afforded by a brief walk up to the old coastguard lookout – and the opportunity to wander a little further to get the most amazing views of Land's End without the associated car chaos. There is a great cafe on the beach and a good pint in the Old Success Inn (oldsuccess.com). If the tide is out, you can also walk north and scramble over the rocks towards Gwenver, you must check the tides as the shallow nature of the beach means it can come in pretty quick.
Botallack mining walk, St Just
An engine house at Levant Mine. Photograph: John Garrett/NTPL
Distance 1 mile
Start/finish Count House, Botallack, St Just grid ref SW333365
National Trust downloadable route and map
The area around St Just was a hub for Cornish mining activity, the remains of which are clear to see along this stretch of coastline. To me the specific appeal of this area is difficult to put your finger on, there are just so many things to see and wonder at: industrial archaeology, brutal natural landscape and loads of interesting wildlife. My favourite view is looking south to Cape Cornwall, jutting out into the Atlantic with the white water crashing around its base. There are many options for short walks around the area but I prefer the route north from Cape Cornwall up to the Levant Mine with its steam engine, lovingly restored by the Greasy Gang volunteers.
Distance 3 miles
Start/finish Carn Galva car park, grid ref SW421364
National Trust downloadable route and map
This beautiful valley is like a time machine. Walking around you will jump between pre-historic, medieval, industrial revolution and second world war periods. Sitting proud on the highest point is Bosigran iron age castle, enjoying views westwards to Pendeen Watch and eastwards to Gurnards Head. The ramparts of the castle are clearly visible, if you peek between them to the opposite side of the Zawn you are looking at one of the British Commando's cliff assault training areas. Commando Ridge cuts a distinctive line out of the sea and this route still provides an adventurous experience even with modern climbing equipment. A reasonable (deceptively long) walk east rewards the weary rambler with a pint at the wonderful Gurnards Head pub (gurnardshead.co.uk).
Distance 1 mile
Start/finish Zennor village car park, grid ref SW453385
National Trust downloadable route and map
Zennor is steeped in both history and marvellous tales: there is a mermaid in the church; the Quoit burial chamber on the high moor; and the steep sided beach valley evokes stories of illicit smuggling activities. This area was widely used by a number of west Corwall artists – Patrick Heron's house sits above the village to the east. There is very pleasant walking through fields, along the coastal path and up onto the moor, all of which work up a good thirst to be slaked in the Tinners Arms (tinnersarms.com), a great little pub with a pleasant garden right in the centre of the village.
Distance 1 mile
Start/finish Car park at St Agnes Head, grid ref SW702514
National Trust downloadable route and map
The beautiful little village of St Agnes is at the centre of an amazing area to walk in and explore the wealth of natural riches. Most spectacular is Carn Gowla (rock lookout in Cornish) – on a clear day you can see the area's vast coastal landscape from here. From Mesolithic hunters to second world war ammunition stores, St Agnes Head is steeped in history, and is also home to rare heathland and important seabird colonies. Chapel Porth beach is a hidden gem, unveiling itself as you come round the coastal path. At low tide there is a large expanse of golden sand – well worth a stroll to look back at the imposing outcrops and caves. Chapel Porth also has a great little beach cafe to restore you for your hike back out of the valley.
Distance 6 miles
Start/finish West Pentire car park, grid ref SW775605
National Trust downloadable route and map
Although Newquay itself doesn't evoke thoughts of great walks, the area around it is a gem. The coastline just south of Newquay is incredibly varied with fantastic displays of arable flora in summer. At West Pentire, see whole fields scarlet with poppies and other rare meadow plants. There's also lots of sandy grassland, rich in wild flowers like cowslip and pyramidal orchid. The dunes behind Holywell Bay are the home for hundreds of different insects and great for bug hunting. This is truly an area for all seasons; visit in autumn for a privileged view of grey seal pups and winter to find migrant birds in the fields. Both Crantock and Holywell beaches are well worth a visit with Penhale Point offering amazing vistas for those who are prepared to stretch their legs a little further.
Distance 1 mile
Start/finish Lundy Bay National Trust car park, grid ref SX953795
National Trust downloadable route and map
The Coastal path around the Camel estuary is one of Cornwall's most well known areas, and the transition from the comparatively soft estuary to the wild rocks of Pentire Point is quite striking. The shifting sand bar at the mouth of the estuary has given its name to one of Cornwall's most prolific exports – Doom Bar beer. But it is the geological diversity, which makes this place very special to me; climbing expeditions onto the intimidating black rock of Pentire Point have been indelibly etched on my memory. For a slightly tamer yet no less interesting experience Lundy Bay, looking out to the island some 80 miles distant, holds a treasure trove provided by a collapsed sea cliff cave and rock pools galore.
Distance 1 mile
Start/finish Boscastle car park, grid ref SX101912
National Trust downloadable route and map
Most famously associated with King Arthur, Tintagel also has links to the sainthood. The area between here and Boscastle has links to St Nectan and St Pirran with a cave and a well respectively. The Boscastle area was a favourite of Thomas Hardy, who wrote about it as Castle Boterel: "a region of dream and mystery". He met his first wife, Emma Gifford, here in 1870. The coastal path is steep and strenuous but the views are well worth the effort – Boscastle is now fully recovered from the terrible floods and has a number of good watering holes to receive and replenish the weary traveller.
Distance 3 miles
Start/finish Crackington Haven car park, grid ref SX143968
National Trust downloadable route and map
Explore a stunning stretch of north Cornwall's coastline on a walk that leads you from Crackington Haven's sandy beach, to magnificent vistas of Cambeak headland and the cliffs beyond, before returning by the sheltered woodlands of Ludon Valley. Intriguing rock formations and varied wildlife are just some of the highlights you'll discover on the way. The Coombe Barton Inn (thecoombebartoninn.co.uk) provides a pleasant stop-off with amazing views. It is worth noting that the Strangles beach is an amazing secluded spot yet it has very strong currents which can catch the unsuspecting bather off guard.
Distance 1 mile
Start/finish Rectory Farm Tearoom car park (rectory-tearooms.co.uk), grid ref SS205153
National Trust downloadable route and map
This gentle clifftop walks encompass breathtaking views of north Cornwall's coast. You'll come across a beautiful church, believed to date back to Saxon times, and of course Hawker's Hut, the refuge of poet Reverend Robert Hawker. When you take a good look at this part of the coast, you can clearly see why Hawker spent so much of his time looking after shipwrecked sailors. The outcrops in this part of the county are brutal, and it is worth keeping dogs under close control as the drops are unforgiving. On a clear day, Lundy Island can be seen out in the Bristol Channel.
Jim Pascoe is the National Trust's outdoor co-ordinator in Cornwall
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