(Because the Real Star Was Never The Salt Path*)*
There’s been a flurry of headlines recently about The Salt Path—the bestselling memoir that turned the South West Coast Path into a symbol of resilience, redemption... and now, controversy. Whether you found it inspiring or infuriating, one thing is crystal clear:
The real star of the show was never the book. It was the path.
Cornwall’s coast path is a national treasure. Winding across cliff tops, through hidden coves, past tin mines, seals and lighthouses—it’s a ribbon of wild, unfiltered beauty. You don’t need to walk 630 miles with blisters and a B&B budget to fall in love with it. You just need a few great circular routes.
All of the following walks are taken from my Cornish Walks guides. Each one is personally walked, mapped, and written up by me—an experienced local walker who knows where the tide cuts the path, where the best view benches are, and which stile has the loose post. Most are circular, offering that magical shift in scenery you only get when you loop around—coast out, moorland back, beach one way, woodland the other.
Ready to walk? Let’s go.
1. The Rumps and Pentire Point, Polzeath
📍 North Cornwall | 3 miles | Circular
A gentle cliff walk with show-stopping views and an Iron Age hillfort you can stomp around to your heart’s content. Dolphins, sea birds, and a chance to spot puffins in season.
👉 Perfect for: History lovers, wildlife spotters, and anyone who wants maximum views for minimal effort.
2. Cape Cornwall to Botallack Mines
📍 West Cornwall | 5 miles | Circular
A high-drama loop from Cape Cornwall past iconic engine houses teetering on the edge of the Atlantic. One of the most atmospheric stretches of coast in Cornwall.
👉 Perfect for: Photographers, tin mine enthusiasts, and fans of the BBC’s Poldark.
3. Padstow to Stepper Point
📍 North Cornwall | 7 miles | Circular
This big-sky walk follows estuary, coast, cliffs and back again via Tregirls and Hawker’s Cove. Includes the iconic Daymark tower and views across the Doom Bar.
👉 Perfect for: Lovers of long horizons, coastal legends, and finishing with fish and chips.
4. St Agnes Beacon & Wheal Coates
📍 North Cornwall | 3.5 miles | Circular
A dramatic, windswept walk over cliff tops and up the beacon with glorious views and photogenic mining ruins along the way.
👉 Perfect for: A quick, exhilarating burst of coast path beauty and classic Cornish heritage.
5. Loe Bar and the Penrose Estate
📍 West Cornwall | 7 miles | Circular
From the still waters of Cornwall’s largest natural lake to the deadly waves of Loe Bar beach, this route is a tale of two halves.
👉 Perfect for: Varied terrain, wildfowl watching, and peace away from the crowds.
6. Marazion to Mousehole
📍 South Cornwall | 13 miles | Linear or return by bus
An accessible, mostly flat route that hugs the coast through Penzance, Newlyn and on to picture-perfect Mousehole.
👉 Perfect for: First-time coast path walkers, tidal causeway lovers, and art-and-pub hoppers. Even better - hire a bike!
7. Mexican Towans and Hayle Estuary Loop
📍 West Cornwall | 7 miles | Figure-of-eight Circular
Sand dunes, estuary trails and some of Cornwall’s best birdwatching in one handy walk. Huge skies and plenty of paddling spots.
👉 Perfect for: Dog walkers, twitchers, and those who like to loop in two scenic chunks.
8. Bude Coast and Canal Loop
📍 North Cornwall | 6 miles | Circular
Start high on the cliffs and finish with a peaceful stroll back along the canal towpath. A blend of wild and gentle.
👉 Perfect for: Changing scenery, literary sea pools, and spotting the Storm Tower.
9. Gribbin Head and the Saints’ Way
📍 South Cornwall | 5 miles | Circular
A quiet but dramatic stretch with a classic daymark tower, wooded creeks, and big views across St Austell Bay. Home to Rebecca and Daphne du Maurier.
👉 Perfect for: Those who like secret coves, smugglers' tales and fewer crowds.
10. Surfing with the Saints: Holywell to Perranporth
📍 Mid Cornwall | 10 miles | Circular
A legendary walk, both in distance and folklore. Ancient crosses, hidden sea caves, sand dunes and a whole lot of coast path magic.
👉 Perfect for: Walkers chasing saints and salt spray in equal measure.
Why These Walks Work
Every walk listed is:
✅ Personally mapped by a local walker (that’s me!)
✅ Circular or easy to manage—no chasing buses unless you want to
✅ Full of variety—you’ll rarely see the same view twice
✅ Rich in stories—mines, saints, shipwrecks, legends, lighthouses
✅ Backed by proper maps & GPX files (available in my guidebooks or online)
You Don’t Need to Walk the Whole Path. Just Start Somewhere Beautiful.
You don’t need to walk every mile of the South West Coast Path to feel something shift inside you. You just need to stand on the edge of a cliff, the wind in your face, the sea glinting like tin—and take a few steps.
And if you happen to end that walk in a cosy pub with sandy boots and a wild grin, all the better.
Explore more in the full Cornish Walks series—available from our Mevagissey bookshop, Hurley Books or online.