Discover The Salt Path: Best Walks in Cornwall for Breathtaking Coastal Views
Walks To Do Along The South West Coast Path
Walk the Wild Edge of Cornwall: Discover the best walks in Cornwall
Cornwall’s coast is more than just a scenic backdrop — it’s a living, breathing path of history, resilience, and natural wonder. Immortalised in Raynor Winn’s bestselling memoir The Salt Path, this dramatic stretch of the South West Coast Path has inspired thousands to lace up their boots and reconnect with nature, purpose, and the power of the sea.
Whether you’re following in the footsteps of Raynor and Moth from Minehead to Penzance, or simply looking for the best walks along the Salt Path in Cornwall, this guide shares everything you need to explore Cornwall’s most breathtaking sections, from windswept clifftops and smugglers’ coves to iconic landmarks like Land’s End and Lizard Point.
If you’re staying locally and want a day hike, or you’re planning a multi-day walking adventure, we’ve broken down each section into manageable stages with route suggestions, difficulty levels, and highlights — perfect for seasoned walkers, Salt Path pilgrims, or curious first-time hikers.
1. Bude to Boscastle
16 Miles | 7-8 Hours
Start: Crooklets Beach – End: Boscastle Harbour
The walk from Bude to Boscastle is one of the most dramatic, remote, and challenging stretches of the South West Coast Path in Cornwall, and a memorable section from The Salt Path. Head up to the grassy clifftops of Crooklets beach
2. Boscastle to Tintagel
5 Miles | 2-3 Hours
Start: Boscastle Harbour – End Tintagel Village
Starting in the historic harbour of Boscastle, this walk follows the rugged coastline south, staying high above crashing waves. The path is narrow in parts, with several cliffside ascents and descents, but it rewards walkers with panoramic sea views and hidden coves.
3. Tintagel to Port Isaac
10 Miles | 4-5 Hours
Start: Tintagel Castle – End: Port Isaac Harbour
This is a great walk for intermediate hikers looking for peace, natural beauty, and fewer crowds. The Tintagel to Port Isaac section is a stunning and somewhat quieter stretch of the South West Coast Path, offering dramatic coastal cliffs, lush valleys, and traditional Cornish villages. It’s one of the more tranquil yet rewarding walks from The Salt Path.
4. Port Isaac to Padstow
14 Miles | 6-7 Hours
Start: Port Isaac Harbour – Begin in the centre of the village, near the harbour slipway
End: Padstow Harbour – After crossing from Rock via the passenger ferry
Port Isaac to Padstow is one of the most scenic and accessible stretches of The Salt Path in Cornwall. It includes gorgeous beaches, headlands, and the famous ferry crossing into Padstow. We recommend breaking the walk into two days with an overnight in Polzeath if you want to take the walk at a slower pace.
5. Padstow to Newquay
22 Miles | 9 – 10 Hours (Split Advised)
Start: Padstow Harbour – End: Newquay Town Centre
This section is a longer and more varied stretch of The South West Coast Path, rich in wild cliffs, sandy bays, and hidden coves. It’s less intense than the earlier north Cornwall sections, but still packed with scenic drama and a real sense of the journey evolving.
Recommended split:
Day 1: Padstow to Porthcothan Bay (13 miles / 21 km)
Day 2: Porthcothan Bay to Newquay (9 miles / 14 km)
6. Newquay to st agnes
13 Miles | 5-6 Hours
Start: Towan Head – End St Agnes Village
This stretch of the South West Coast Path blends the buzz of surf towns with the raw beauty of remote coastline, all while passing through iconic Salt Path scenery. This stretch begins with Newquay’s famous surf beaches, but quickly moves into wilder, quieter clifftop landscapes. You’ll walk past sandy bays, natural arches, sea caves, and rugged mining history – this is quintessential Cornwall.
7. St Agnes To St Ives
22 Miles | 9 – 10 Hours (Split Advised)
Start: Trevaunance Cove – End: Porthmeor Beach
This is Cornwall at its wildest and most cinematic. The path from St Agnes quickly takes you into mining territory, with weathered cliffs and crumbling engine houses standing like sentinels above the Atlantic. As you pass Porthtowan and Portreath, the landscape becomes more isolated and elemental. You’ll face steep cliff climbs, narrow paths with sheer drops, and long quiet stretches — but also some of the most unforgettable views in all of Cornwall.
Suggested 2-Day Split:
Day 1: St Agnes to Portreath(13miles / 21km)
Day 2: Portreath to St Ives (14 miles / 22 km)
8. St Ives to Penzance (Via Zennor)
25 Miles | 10-11 Hours (Split Advised)
Start: St Ives Harbour – End: Penzance Promenade
This is the most remote and dramatic section of the entire Salt Path. You’ll pass through ancient tin-mining land, rocky coves, and moorland-like cliff tops. Services are few, the terrain is challenging, but the sense of wilderness and reflection is unmatched. You’ll face steep cliff climbs, narrow paths with sheer drops, and long quiet stretches — but also some of the most unforgettable views in all of Cornwall. It really is one of the best walks in Cornwall.
Suggested 2-Day Split:
Day 1: St Ives to Zennor or Pendeen (11–14 miles / 18–22 km)
Day 2: Zennor/Pendeen to Penzance (11–14 miles / 18–22 km)
9. Penzance to Land’s End
17 Miles | 7-8 Hours
Penzance to Land’s End is one of the best walks in Cornwall. It’s the spectacular coastal finale that many walkers do after finishing The Salt Path – or as a standalone journey to experience the far west of Cornwall. It’s not technically part of The Salt Path (which ends in Penzance), but it’s often added as a symbolic or scenic extension.
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At the End of the Path…
Whether you’ve tackled a stretch or taken on the whole South West Coast Path, there’s something deeply satisfying about reaching the end. So why not mark the moment with a little luxury?
Swap waterproofs for robes, windswept cliffs for calming spa treatments, and trail mix for a three-course dinner. Stay with us at Penventon Park Hotel—your reward for every mile, every blister, every breath of sea air. It’s time to rest, refuel, and revel in what you’ve accomplished.
Hollie Davies is part of the marketing team at Penventon Park Hotel. She loves all things seasonal, from crisp autumn mornings to twinkling Christmas nights. She never skips her morning coffee and finds magic in the little things that stick with you, all too well.
