The National Trust looks after huge stretches of the Cornish coast, along with country estates, gardens and river valleys, and it publishes waymarked walks at many of them. Here are some of the best for visitors, from clifftop circuits to gentle woodland strolls, with the practical details you need. Distances and times are the National Trust's own. Paths, opening times and car park charges can change, so check each place's page before you go.
Parking, facilities and dogs
Most of these walks start from a National Trust car park. Parking is free for National Trust members, who usually need to scan their card or register their car. Non-members pay by machine or the JustPark app, and charges vary from place to place. Many cafés at these places are run by independent businesses, and several open shorter hours in winter. Dogs are welcome on all the walks below, usually on a lead near livestock and cliff edges, but some beaches have seasonal dog bans. We note these where they apply.
Kynance Cove to Lizard Point
The Lizard coastal walk starts at Kynance Cove and loops around the tip of the Lizard: about 7 miles, around 3 hours, graded challenging, on stony clifftop paths with over 200m of climbing. Park in the car park above the cove, which is extremely busy in July, August and September. There's a café at Kynance and another at Lizard Point, both seasonal, with toilets at Kynance and in the Lizard Point car park. Dogs are welcome on the footpaths all year, but there's a seasonal ban on Kynance beach from 1 July to 31 August, 10am to 6pm. Watch the tide at the cove, as it's easy to get cut off, and there are no lifeguards.
Godrevy to Hell's Mouth
From the National Trust car park at Godrevy, near Gwithian, a 5-mile walk of 2.5 to 3 hours follows the cliffs past Godrevy lighthouse to the dramatic cove of Hell's Mouth. It's graded moderate, rocky in places with some steep climbs. Look down into the coves near the point for grey seals, and keep well back from the unstable cliff edges. The café here isn't run by the National Trust, and toilets on the headland have shorter hours in winter. Dogs are welcome under close control, but they're restricted on the beach between Harveys Towans and Godrevy Point from 1 July to 31 August, 10am to 6pm.
Carnewas at Bedruthan
The Carnewas coast walk is about 4.5 miles, around 1.5 hours and moderate, with sweeping views of the Bedruthan rock stacks. Sturdy footwear is advised. There's no access to Bedruthan beach after cliff falls, so enjoy it from above. The tea-room isn't run by the National Trust and may close in bad weather. Dogs are welcome under control, and should be on a lead where livestock is grazing.
Pentire headland and the Rumps
Near Polzeath, the Pentire headland walk is about 3.4 miles and 2 to 3 hours, moderate, on grassy tracks and coast path, out to the Iron Age cliff fort on the Rumps. Start from the Pentireglaze car park. The Pentyr Café has shorter hours in winter. Cattle graze the headland all year, so dogs must be on a lead, and dogs are banned from Pentireglaze Haven beach from 15 May to 30 September, 10am to 6pm.
Botallack and Kenidjack
From the car park beside the Count House at Botallack, a 3.5-mile, roughly 2-hour circuit takes you past ruined engine houses on the mining coast and into the Kenidjack valley. It's moderate but rugged, with steep descents, steps and stiles. There are old mine shafts and sheer drops, so keep to the paths and keep dogs on a lead. The Count House café isn't run by the National Trust. Nearby Levant Mine and Beam Engine is closed for the rest of 2026 after storm damage.
Lanhydrock: the Deer Wall walk
For a change from the coast, the Deer Wall walk at Lanhydrock, near Bodmin, is about 4.3 miles and 1.5 hours, moderate, on mostly even ground with some climbs. The riverside and woodland sections can be soft when wet. It starts from the main car park, with cafés and toilets on site. Dogs on leads are welcome on the estate, where livestock graze the parkland, but only assistance dogs are allowed in the house.
Trelissick to Roundwood Quay
On the Fal estuary near Truro, the Roundwood Quay walk is about 4 miles and 1.5 to 2 hours. It's easy, on woodland paths and gravel tracks, with one short, steep climb at the end. There's a café and garden near the car park. Dogs are welcome in the parkland, woodland and garden, on a lead if livestock are present. Some parts of the estate have stayed closed after storm damage, so check before you go.
Boscastle and the Valency Valley
From Boscastle's harbour, the Boscastle and Valency Valley walk is about 4 miles and 2.5 hours, moderate, with a few short, steep climbs. It follows the wooded valley inland and returns over the clifftops, and there's a shorter 3-mile version over stepping stones. The village car park and toilets aren't run by the National Trust, so everyone pays to park, but there's a National Trust café and shop by the harbour. Dogs are welcome under close control through farmland.
Cotehele and the Danescombe Valley
In the Tamar Valley, the Danescombe Valley walk runs about 2.6 miles and 2 hours from Cotehele Quay through the woods towards Calstock. It's moderate, so bring walking boots. Cotehele also has an easy circular walk of about 1.7 miles. Paths can be muddy and some slopes are steep. Dogs under close control or on a lead are welcome on the estate walks.
Good to know
- Coastal paths run close to sheer drops. Keep children and dogs close, and stay on the path.
- Wear proper footwear. Many of these paths are rocky, steep or muddy.
- Check the weather. The coast is exposed, and conditions change quickly.
- If you visit often, National Trust membership covers parking at all these places.
Photos: Godrevy lighthouse by Unukorno, CC BY 4.0; Pentire Point and the Rumps by Andy F, CC BY-SA 2.0; Lanhydrock by Olaf Tausch, CC BY 3.0; Boscastle harbour by Lewis Clarke, CC BY-SA 2.0; via Wikimedia Commons.
