Eight walks to try in Cornwall

Restormel Castle (English Heritage, or Cornwall Heritage Trust) was once the residence of the Earl of Cornwall. A perfect circle in design, it was built in the late 13th century and in ruins by the 16th. There are beautiful views from the top across the countryside. Park at our sister site, the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery and follow the path through the woods and up to the castle. On your return, head into the café for lunch or refreshments outside the tipi - from where you’ll be able to see where you just walked. Just over two miles.

The walk between St Clements and Malpas is stunning, right along the river bank with lovely water views. Spot a wide variety of birds including kingfishers and wading birds like herons and egrets. Start at St Clements, follow the river and refuel with lunch or a drink at The Heron Inn at Malpas before taking the inland footpath back. Circular route is around 2.5 miles. 

Another gentle walk of barely a mile in total, which reaches the banks of the river Fal. For a longer but still gentle stroll, team with a garden walk around the National Trust estate at Trelissick (members free). Cross the parkland estate to reach the little beach, much loved by toddlers and dogs, and circle round the park land back up to the NT car park. Path is wide and sloping, and some wheels will find it suitable. Refreshments can be found in the NT café, open to all, or just down the road is St Austell Brewery pub, The Punchbowl & Ladle.

Plenty of trails from the short to the long loop through the Forestry England woodlands. Some paths are suitable for wheels - from buggies to mobility scooters, and the Countryside Mobile Scheme hires off-road mobility scooter Tramper. Little ones will enjoy the Stick Man activity trail and Gruffalo sculptures to spot on the Lady Vale walk,  the shortest loop at 1.7 miles and is wide and flat. The longest loop is the Deviock trail, at 4.3 miles, which takes in a gentle climb with the possibility of seeing deer, and in May, carpets of bluebells. Refuel at the Woods Café just by the carpark (£) serving cakes, tea, coffee, and lunches - also a playground.

Two options for parking here - at Lanhydrock House and Respryn Wood (£, NT members free) both of which have lovely walks. At Lanhydrock, there are a number of trails through the woods and parkland, with the added extra gardens at Lanhydrock House (National Trust). A NT café for lunch and tea / coffee / cakes is by the car park, where there is also a playground. At Respryn, there are no refreshments but there is an easy circular one mile trail walk along the path along the banks of the river Fowey, where you might spot otters, kingfishers and in spring carpets of bluebells. The river path is suitable for wheelchairs.

This route with glorious sea and river views takes in Fowey and Polruan via both the foot ferry to Polruan and then back on the car ferry from Bodinnick. The walk is sign-posted. Start at one of Fowey’s car parks (top, near Fowey Hall) or Caffa Mill by the ferry at Bodinnick. The walk takes you through woodlands and along the creeks off the River Fowey. Divert down the steep climb to Lantic Bay for a largely private sandy beach, and pause in Polruan for a drink at The Lugger. More refreshments can be found in Fowey itself. Circular walk, around 3-4 miles long, can be increased by various diversions to look at St Wyllow church near Pont Pill or Lantic Bay beach.

Park at the Rough Tor car park on Bodmin Moor and you won’t miss Roughtor in front of you. Create a circular ridge walk by taking the path through the woods to the side and then you’ll approach the tors from side on. Divert onwards to Brown Willy, the highest point in Cornwall, and then back to Rough Tor and down to the carpark. The weather can drop unexpectedly here so be prepared - and not suitable for wheels, and can be steep in places. No refreshments, you’ll need to bring your own, although the pub in Blisland is worth a visit on the way home. Circular walk of around 4 - 6 miles depending on your path. 

The Camel Trail currently runs from Wenford Bridge, via Bodmin, to Wadebridge, and ends at Padstow. Plans are in discussion to extend the northern arm right up to Camelford, but for now, the trail traces 18.3 miles. Largely flat, and taking in woodland and river views, the trail also breaks well into shorter sections, such as Wadebridge to Padstow (5 miles) and Wadebridge to Bodmin (8 miles). This is the old railway line that was closed in the late 1960s that the (then) Poet Laureate John Betjeman described as one of most beautiful journeys in the world. Suitable for wheels of all kinds, find refreshments in Bodmin and Wadebridge, Padstow and the Snails Pace café at Wenford Bridge, plus between Bodmin and Wadebridge there is a pub, a tea room, and the Camel Valley vineyard.

There is nearly 400 miles of Cornish coast path, with too many lovely sections to even begin to detail here - but even just short stretches are worth trying for the views. On the north coast try the stretch between Port Isaac and Polzeath, including The Rumps. On the south coast, the walk from Fowey out to Polridmouth and back via the farm takes in Daphne du Maurier’s one-time home Menabilly (the inspiration for Manderley in Rebecca).