Best walks in west Cornwall

West Cornwall is a must do destination for both the casual stroller and the hardcore hiker. Routes abound, long or short, steep or flat, that can raise your heart-rate and your spirits as you soak up Kernow’s very special outdoor ambience.

Botallack

For walkers that love a little bit of history, this is the perfect walk in west Cornwall. Located down near the western tip, St Just Mining District is one of the oldest tin and copper areas in the county. Botallack is one of many mines in this the narrow belt of land.

There’s a car park at Cape Cornwall from which to wander. The views are stunning, and the engine house is both impressive and photogenic. This is also the Cornish filming location for the mining scenes in Poldark.

The South West Coast Path around the ‘end of Cornwall’

Starting at St Ives, you can plan a week (six days, 69 miles) that takes in the tip of Cornwall at Land’s End and then heads back east to the Lizard. This section has a sub-tropical climate, with sheltered valleys and coves adorned with palm trees and other exotica by virtue of the mild temperatures. You’ll also take in a lot of the county’s rich mining heritage (Poldark country, too) on this part of the walk.

We recommended stopping at Pendeen, Sennen, Lamorna, Marazion, Porthleven and the Lizard, with none of these days exceeding thirteen miles.

View our collection of self-catering Cornish cottages in west Cornwall here.