The Padstow to Porthcothan walk follows the South West Coast Path for approximately 21.3km. It is a one way route rather than a circular walk, maintained as part of the National Trails network.
Leaving Padstow, the path passes the sheltered sands of Harbour Cove, where orchids and reed buntings favour the surrounding marshland, before climbing up to Stepper Point and its navigation station. Much of the farmland here is managed under a stewardship scheme that avoids chemical fertilisers, which helps explain why the area supports such a range of wildlife and flowers. Nearby at Gun Point, fortifications appearing on maps as far back as 1801 are thought to date to the time of the Spanish Armada.
At Porthmissen, seabirds nest along the limestone ledges of the aptly named Marble Cliffs, and just beyond, at Trevone, you can look down into Round Hole, a dramatic collapsed sea cave. Further on at Harlyn, an entire Iron Age cemetery was uncovered beneath what is now the Harlyn Inn, containing over a hundred burials along with bronze and iron ornaments, since moved to a museum in Truro. Look out for seals in the bay here too.
Above Harlyn Bay stand the old fish cellars once used for processing pilchards, carved above the door with the words Lucri Dulcis Odor, meaning profit smells sweet. The line reads as pointed irony given what the building actually smelled like in use, and local legend adds an extra layer: a sixteenth century curse, said to have been placed on the site by a woman named Ivey, from whom the neighbouring bay takes its name.
The walk continues around Trevose Head, one of Cornwall’s most striking headlands, where a lighthouse first lit in 1847 still stands and is now available to rent as a holiday let. From here the path passes a string of coves with genuinely memorable names, among them Big Guns Cove, Cat’s Cove, and Stinking Cove, before reaching Constantine Bay, a wide, golden beach popular with surfers. At Treyarnon Bay, low tide exposes rock pools rich with marine life, well worth a slow look before continuing on. The walk ends at the quieter, dune backed beach of Porthcothan.
Those wanting a shorter day can stop at Treyarnon Bay, around 18.3km in. For a longer walk, the path continues beyond Porthcothan to Mawgan Porth, a further 7.2km.
Parking is available at Padstow, Trevone, Harlyn, Trevose Head, Treyarnon Bay, and Porthcothan.
Plan The Walk
Places along this walk
Places to stay
- Penlan B&B
- Trayarnon Bay Youth Hostel
- Cullinan's Bed & Breakfast
- Strand House
- Drang House
Beaches
- St George’s Cove, Padstow Passes nearby
Where to park
- South Quay Car Park
- Porthcothan Long Stay Car Park
- Harlyn Bay Car Park
- Trevone Beach Car Park
- Porthmissen Car Park
Pubs
- The Harbour Inn
- The Shipwrights
- The Old Custom House
- The Old Ship Hotel
Cafes
- Rest A While Tea Garden
- The Beach Box Cafe
- Food For Thought
- Puccinis
- Burgers & Fish
- Jo Jo's Kitchen
- Greens of Padstow
- Cally Oyster Bar & Grill
- Reggies Street Food
- The Clipper
- Cherry Trees
- Caffè Rojano
- Pucellis
Attractions
- Rock Pool – Treyarnon
- Tidal Pool
- Tidal pool
- Padstow Museum
- Trevone Bay Sea Pool
- Treyarnon Rock Pool
Shops
- Gary's Beach Shop
- Chough Bakery
- The Cornish Bakery
- The Drang Gallery
- Whistlefish
- Beach Mini Shop
- Harlyn Surf School
- Down by the Ferry
- The Harbour Shop
- Mountain Warehouse
- Quay Art Gallery
- Regatta Great Outdoors
- Pendragon's Ice Cream & Fudge
- Driftwood Contemporary
- Roly's Fudge Pantry
- Trespass
- Anns Cottage
- Ann's Cottage Surf Shops
- The Picture House
Toilets
- Porthcothan Car Park Toilets
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