Walks around Newquay

Newquay on Cornwall’s Atlantic Coast has recently been voted “one of the nation's favourite seaside towns” in the prestigious Which Holiday Survey.

Newquay’s laid back charm, surfing beaches and nightlife is here for everyone to enjoy. From Newquay the Coast Path stretches out with stunning views everywhere you look! There are also deep historical roots here with Trevelgue Head and Porth Island a major centre of prehistoric civilisation, inhabited for over 6,000 years. There are caves of marble carved out by the sea's erosion and blowholes have been created where water has forced through the rocks. There's a vast array of golden sandy beaches all within a stone’s throw of the town, including the fantastic Watergate bay.

These are a selection of walks that will show you the full delights that this area has to offer.

Bedruthan Steps Easy Access - 0.8 miles (1.2 km)

Easy

A short, stimulating trail at one of the most iconic destinations on the North Cornish coast. Parking in the National Trust Carnewas car-park this trail takes you out onto the South West Coast Path with sea views from Newquay past Park Head to Trevose Head. A more detailed version of this walk complete with pictures can be found at phototrails.org
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Constantine Bay to Mawgan Porth - 7.0 miles (11.3 km)

Challenging

A long walk, travelling high above a ragged rocky coastline where turquoise water washes onto golden sand and seabirds such as fulmar, razorbill and guillemot nest noisily on the cliffs. These rocks have been dramatically sculpted by the waves into islands and pillars. Smugglers' caves nestle among the stacks and arches, while the towering headlands above provided ideal sites for prehistoric promontory forts. The path borders tranquil farmland where the endangered corn bunting is making a comeback. This is a good walk in autumn, when...
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Crantock & Penpol Creek - 1.7 miles (2.7 km)

Easy

A short walk offering beautiful views over a tranquil estuary and the sweeping Atlantic coast, as well as the chance to explore the pretty coastal village of Crantock. Children will love the long sandy beach backed by dunes, and the stories of ancient saints arriving on peculiar boats and a wicked population buried in sand! A great walk in springtime: listen out for kittiwakes nesting on the cliffs, corn buntings feeding in the fields and great spotted woodpeckers drumming in the woodland. Great in summer...
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Newquay - 5.0 miles (8.0 km)

Moderate

A walk around Newquay's fascinating shoreline, taking in the long sandy beaches with their Atlantic breakers which make it one of Britain's surf capitals, as well as its rocky headlands with their spectacular views out over Newquay Bay. People have lived here since prehistoric times, and there are some fascinating historical features en route. A good walk in autumn, especially on a windy day, when the flocks of seabirds heading southwards down the coastline might include storm petrels among the kittiwakes and terns.
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Tregurrian & Trevarrian - 5.3 miles (8.5 km)

Challenging

A coastal walk high above the two-mile stretch of golden sand at Watergate Bay, passing a prehistoric fort along the way, before looping through Mawgan Porth to return via fields and lanes. The area is littered with the remnants of previous populations, including barrows from the Bronze Age, a Saxon settlement from the Dark Ages, a medieval chapel which became a wagon shed and the course of a half-built canal meant to run from Mawgan Porth to Newquay. An excellent walk for older children with...
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Trevelgue Head & Whipsiderry - 4.5 miles (7.2 km)

Moderate

A walk to blow the cobwebs away, high on the hills to the north of Newquay, giving panoramic sea views beyond a coastline carved by the waves into caves and islets. The route visits one of the south west's major centres of prehistoric civilisation, travelling along ancient green lanes. Visit Whipsiderry at half-tide to catch the spectacular blowhole spouting.
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