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South West Coast Path Holidays - The Harbours & Coves Route - From Falmouth to Plymouth along the Cornish Coast Path

Historic Harbours, picture postcard fishing villages, castles, tall ships and towering daymarks, but best of all, in between the habitation is mile after mile of empty, protected coastline. With endless panoramas of the sea, you climb and descend the cliffs through heather, gorse and uplands, away from the crowds, picking your own beach stops from the endless choice of coves and inlets that open up to you en route.

Resting overnight in magical harbours or remote and stunning dwellings but always close to your companion the mighty coast - welcome to a holiday on the Cornish South West Coast Path.

Your Route through South East Cornwall: Falmouth to Plymouth and the border with Devon.

Arguably the most varied and fascinating walking along the whole of the Cornish Coastline. The route from Falmouth marks the transition from west to east Cornwall and our walking breaks take you right through to the mighty Tamar River on the opposite bank to Plymouth and the endpoint of the Cornish landmass. En route expect tiny fishing villages, dramatic ports, castles, cliffs, hidden smugglers coves and long sandy beaches. Away from the trail, explore fascinating historical harbours, visit Eden or The Lost Gardens of Heligan, explore the River Fowey by stable canoes or just take a rest day in the shelter of invigorating Fowey and watch the comings and goings of a natural south coast harbour below you.

A brief description of the path sections follows. Read on to get an idea of which parts particularly attract you and then scroll down for our list of route options. If you can't decide don't worry, we can tailor whatever walking you want to do....or better still walk the whole lot...... we know you won't be disappointed!

Section 1. Falmouth to Portloe: 14 miles (or a shorter first day Portscatho to Portloe: 8 miles)

Click here to read about overnight stops in Falmouth before your walk

Your journey begins under the shadow of St Mawes Castle nestling in a subtropical creekside location at the entrance to the mighty Roseland Peninsular. Using two small passenger ferries to cross to St Mawes and then onto tiny Place you walk out onto the timeless St Anthony Peninsular passing its idyllic coastal church and dramatic lighthouse. A run of stunning beaches, low cliffs and small valleys brings you to the pretty fishing village of Portscatho and an ideal lunch stop.

This afternoon more fine stretches of sands at Carne and Pendower Beach before you head towards wild Nare Head, Carne Beadon the largest Bronze Age barrow in Cornwall on one side and the imposing sea bird sanctuary at Gull Rock off the coast on the other.

Passing of all things, an underground Cold War bunker you then enter an afternoon of isolated coves and hidden beaches leading on to your overnight in inspiring Portloe "One of the least spoiled and most impressive of Cornish fishing villages" according to Sir John Betcheman.

Dominated by its jagged black rocks "The Jacka" which shadow the entrance to its tiny harbour, this settlement really is a gateway to another world and a fitting place to spend your first night on the coast.

Click here to read about overnight stops in Portloe

Section 2. Portloe to Megavissey: 12 miles

After breakfast in the timeless little hamlet at Portloe you walk straight into dramatic, wild and jagged cove the only habitation on route the isolated little hamlets of West and East Portholland where are handful of cottages, fishing sheds and lime kilns are all that stands between you and the ocean.  The designated Eurobeach at Porthluney offers a fine respite from the cliffs and is perfect for a dip. Inland enjoy great views of impressive Caerhays castle and its gardens, built by John Nash who was also responsible for Buckingham Palace if you are lucky the grounds surrounded by woods leading to its own sandy beach will be open for a visit. The day continues with a challenging climb up to the granite cross at dramatic Dodman Point, the boundary of East and West Cornwall.

On a good day you can see over 100 miles of coastline from here, back to the Lizard but more significantly forward to the end of Cornwall and the end of our trails many days ahead! Onto Mevagissey you pass the old fishing village of Gorran Haven tucked tightly into the hillside above Little Perhaver Point and the stunning former nunnery at Chapel Point as isolated as you can get and certainly with heavenly views across St Austell Bay to Gribbin Head 2 days walk away. You enter Mevagissey via the former boat building cove at Portmellon with the well placed Rising Sun Inn and its a short walk onto an overnight in the fascinating working fishing village of Mevagissey with its maze of narrow backstreets, restaurants, pubs and harbourside to explore.

Click here to read about overnight stops in Mevagissey and information about The Lost Gardens of Heligan which can be visited on route

Section 3. Mevagissey to Charlestown: 8 miles

Today you enter two days of walking around the golden beaches and towering cliffs that make up St Austell bay. Leaving Mevagissey harbour you climb Penare Point passing the overgrown ruins of the old pilchard cellars all that is left of the abandoned hamlet at Portgiskey. The village of Pentewan is the only place with facilities (a pub and a cafe) on today's walk. Having crossed the golden sands at Pentewan Bay the village makes for an interesting distraction from the coastline with its inland harbour built in the 18C now marooned from the sea after shifting sands blocked the channel. 

Your route now enters very dramatic, cliff and cove walking as you start an ascent to the rugged Black Head Promontory site of a former Iron Age cliff castle and with stunning views across the Bay you can see why. The little beach at Halane makes an excellent lunch stop on the way up with its refreshing waterfall crashing to the sands behind a window rock arch. Heading inland now towards the back of St Austell Bay the walking takes you through the nature reserve at mighty Ropehaven cliffs through a memorable descent/ascent back to sea level at Silvermine Point passing the natural rock arch at Phoebe's Point. The day ends with a return to habitation at the historical harbour at Charlestown where you will spend the night in the peaceful company of the harbours tall ships.

Click here to read about overnight stops in Charlestown and find out more about the nearby Eden Project which can be visited on route.

Section 4. Charlestown to Fowey: 10 miles

Heading towards Fowey you round the huge china clay works and skirt the wide and spacious Par Sands before entering wild and remote Gribbin Head with its memorable red and white striped Daymark Tower. A commanding spot the tower does the location justice standing 84 feet above the cliffs built in 1832 to enable mariners to recognise and avoid this wild and entrancing headland from the sea. 

On your way up to the Gribbin enjoy the chance to stop in the beautiful pilchard fishing cove and pub at Polkerris with its well preserved little quay and pilchard cellars tucked into a wooded valley above a fine beach with sands, cliffs and rockpools a favourite for scrambling and exploring.

You are now entering the breathtaking Daphne Du Maurier coastline,  location for so many of her novels of huge inspiration to the writer and indeed to all who pass through its wild beauty. Rebecca, The Birds, the Kings General and The House on the Strand were all faithfully based on this landscape. At Polridmouth an enchanting hidden beach opens up to reveal the Boathouse from Rebecca, Manderlay the infamous house which was once the writers home hidden inland in the wooded coombes. The route onto Fowey is now a joy with a series of smuggling coves infamous for landing brandy to be whisked away to the remote farms that can be spotted inland as the path rises and falls from shingle beach to low clifftop.

Just before entering Fowey a final delight is King Henry 8'ths clifftop castle at St Catherine's, you can access it from the coastpath and freely wander its compact ramparts for the most stunning introduction and panorama's to tonights stay in Fowey without doubt the most stunning location on this section of coast. Make the most of its restaurants, bars and panoramic natural harbour, recently voted the most desirable place to live in the UK.

Click here to read about overnight stops in Fowey

Section 5. Fowey to Looe: 12 miles

Today's adventure begins with catching a tiny passenger ferry across the harbour to Fowey's neighbouring village of Polruan. Make sure you pause to view the remains of the medieval blockhouse which was used to stretch a chain across the harbour entrance to Fowey in an attempt to keep out the Spanish and French. Its a stiff climb out of Polruan finally reaching the remains of St Saviours Chapel high above the cliffs before leaving habitation once again.

You now join a remote and wild coastline with some steep and impressive cliff paths to negotiate on route to Looe. High above the golden sands of Lantic Bay you will gaze down with wild grazing ponies for company onto South Cornwall's most unspoilt beach. With the sun out and the colour clear azure sea its more reminiscent of the mediterranean than the coast of England. Protected by having no road access if you can make the climb down to the beach you won't forget it - a sensational spot,  truly unspoilt,  unchanged and unaffected by ugly side of the modern world.

The path rises and falls along a classic section of coastline with not one house between you and Polperro. Lansallos Cove is another perfect inlet where farmers in the 18C cut an impressive passage way to the beach through the rocks to get carts down to the sands. Climb past the white Daymark tower and negotiate your way down Raphael Cliff before Polperro harbour suddenly emerges from a ravine, making a convenient refreshment stop on the route to Looe.

Click here to read more about visiting or staying in  unique harbour of Polperro

En route to Looe the path become more relaxed passing through pretty Talland Bay (good for a cream tea) before a final few miles passing waterfalls and rolling pastureland that includes the remains of the Chapel of Lamanna built by the Glastonbury monks and these days for coast path walkers marking the entrance into Looe. The final mile is along the seawall at West Looe but with great views out to dominating St Georges Island just offshore and further away if visibility is good enough you might even catch site of the infamous Eddystone Lighthouse 14 miles out.

Click here to read about overnight stops in Looe

Section 6. Looe to Portwrinkle: 8 miles

Walking on from Looe you need to pass through the holiday parks at Millendreath to return to the path proper which makes an early climb above Whitsand Bay and over Bodigga Cliffs. Some pleasant beaches and delightful coastal woodlands accompany the walker while out to sea the whole vista of Whitsand Bay.  Descending steps to the beach at Seaton with a handy beach cafe just off the sands If the tide is out you can choose to make your own route by taking the beach below the village of Downderry in preparation for the zigzagging climb to Batten Heights, the highest point at 462' on the whole of the South Cornwall Coast path. Up here watch out of the ruins of St Germans Hut built as a shooting lodge for the Earl of St Germans and now almost vanishing into the undergrowth. Below the huge cliffs and out to sea is the Long Stone and the Brawn two pinnacles home to hundreds of seabirds.

Following the long line of Whitsand bay looking ahead you will start to see more glimpses of Devon, Plymouth and high up, mysterious Dartmoor. Its a satisfying walk onwards to the tiny harbour at Portwrinkle and the end of todays section.

Click here to read about overnight stops in Portwrinkle

Section 7. Portwrinkle to Plymouth and the end of Cornwall !: 13 miles

This day really is one of variety, woodland and cliffs taking you around impressive Rame Head passing its forts and into the pretty bay at Kingsand and Cawsand and a last encounter with the tiny streets and lanes of a Cornish coastal village.

Keeping up high above Whitsand Bay this morning the route gives outstanding views and takes you past the massive Tregantle Fort an imposing structure built in the 1860's to protect Plymouth from the sea. Near the hamlet of Freathy you can drop to the beach for a break at Sharrow Grotto an cave hewn out of the cliff face by Lieutenant Lugger an ex Naval Purser over 200 years ago as a cure for his gout....which apparently worked. The next landmark is the breathtaking headland of Rame Head - if you have been walking from Falmouth you will have first sighted this many days ago. Steps lead up to rocky hillock which formed part of the Iron Age fort that was situated here. Right on the edge is a lonely chapel built over 600 years ago and still commanding itself over the scenery. After dropping through some coastal Woodland you find  yourself at the twin villages of Kingsand and Cawsand handy for lunch stops with good facilities. These pretty villages have changed hands between Devon and Cornwall several times through past history and both were notorious for smuggling.

Finally after passing through the rather unsettling Dark Trees woodlands you now enter wonderful country estate at Mount Edgcumbe. This huge country estate brings a final set of surprises for the weary walker as the path joins a cliffside carriage way (Earls Drive) on an unforgettable romp through the estates ornate gardens, follies, ruins and fountains guiding you into Plymouth Sound and the very western end of Cornwall separated only by a short ferry ride from the maritime city of Plymouth.

For those staying overnight you will probably be based on the waterfront at Plymouth Hoe and the last 2 miles from the ferry once you have landed in Devon follow the excellent Plymouth Waterfront Walkway packed with maritime history, sculpture and intrigue as it leads you through these well trodden streets to the Hoe

Click here to read about overnight stops in Plymouth and the Waterfront Walkway Route.

South Coast Walking Options and Bookings:

Have a good look at the walking route description and decide which sections you want to walk. We can accommodate whatever sections and overnight stops you want for as many days as you want to be out on the trail. There are no fixed departure dates and you can travel any day subject to availability of accommodation, walking for as long as you choose. Walking unescorted from location to location you have the freedom to set your own pace and the option to build in extra days for further exploring or relaxing!

Standard Holiday Examples - 4 to 8 nights

Remember we are flexible enough to provide whatever route you want from 2 to 14 nights.

Short Break Examples - 2 and 3 night breaks

Remember we are flexible enough to provide whatever route you want from 2 to 14 nights.

Options to consider that can be added to your itinerary

Eden / Lost Gardens of Heligan - Take a day out to visit either attraction. Both are within easy walking distance (or a short bus / taxi ride) from the trail.

En Route Rest days - Fowey, Charlestown (for Eden) and Mevagissey (for the Lost Gardens of Heligan) are the best options.

Cycle Eden / Heligan Day - One way Cycling day on the off road Clay Trails stopping at Eden or the Lost Gardens of Heligan en route.

Canoeing Day - Unique Canoe trips with Encounter Cornwall in Wind in the Willows country between Lerryn and Fowey.

Click here to view Prices and Booking Information for this Walking Route

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