Falmouth is the largest port in Cornwall, with both cargo and cruise ships taking advantage of the deepest natural harbour in Western Europe. There are many trails covering coastal paths, bridleways, quiet lanes as well as the South West Coast Path, which runs right through Falmouth. 

From the seventeenth century, Falmouth's Custom House Quay was the only place in Britain where the foreign mail came in and out, on the famous Packet Ships. At Pendennis Point, there have been fortifications defending Falmouth's waterways for over two millennia.

Falmouth Town Walk

Distance - 2 miles  Difficulty - Easy

An easy stroll with just one hill to be climbed, in both directions, this walk takes you from the bustle of the world's third deepest natural harbour to the tranquil nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest over the hill in Swanvale. Here, in a unique lagoon slumbering at the mouth of a wetland brimming with wildlife, Britain's only Trembling Sea Mat flourishes beneath waters inhabited by dozens of waterbirds and wildfowl, including swans and moorhens.

Falmouth Packet

Distance - 2 miles  Difficulty - Easy

In 1688 Falmouth was appointed as the Royal Mail packet station, using swift and lightly-armed ships to carry mail and messages to all corners of the Empire, and the service remained based in the town until 1850, when the reliability of the new steamships operating from London took over from the romance of the sailing vessels in England's second port. This gentle stroll around the town links some of the important landmarks around the time of the packet ships.

Pendennis Castle

Distance - 4 miles  Difficulty - Moderate

A visit to Pendennis Point, where there have been fortifications defending Falmouth's waterways for over two millennia. Also taking in the sandy beach at Gyllyngvase, the walk is mostly flat and on easy paths and pavements.

Click here for an option to continue this walk to Maenporth, adding an extra 2 miles, before taking the bus back to Falmouth. 

St Just in Roseland

Distance - 5 miles  Difficulty - Moderate

Start from the Ferry landing stage at St Mawes.

This walk links two of Cornwall’s most picturesque locations, the coastal village of St Mawes and the beautiful exotic churchyard of St Just in Roseland. The outward leg skirts the water’s edge of the estuary of the River Fal while the return leg, parallel but on the ridge above, gives some stunning panoramic views over land, estuary and sea.