Walk - Tintagel to Port Isaac

9.1 miles (14.6 km)

Tintagel Port Isaac

Challenging - Severe

The relatively easy walk out of Tintagel allows you to enjoy some of the spectacular views from this section of the North Cornwall coast before commencing a particularly challenging walk to Port Isaac. The path between Trebarwith Strand and Port Isaac is especially long and difficult, with some steep descents into valleys and tough climbs up to the cliff tops again, especially beyond Bounds Cliff.

Historically this area was significant for fishing and fish processing as well as slate extraction and there are remnants of these trades to be seen on the Coast Path. This stretch is designated both Heritage Coast status and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty so it is worth persevering along the harder stretches.

Port Isaac is a real reward at the end of this strenuous walk, with its beautiful alleyways, many listed buildings and harbourside cafes and pubs. You may well recognise Port Isaac from the TV series Doc Martin, as it is the village he lives in (renamed as Portwenn in the series).

There are a range of wonderful places to lay your head near the Coast Path for a well-earned sleep. From large and luxurious hotels, to small and personable B&B's, as well as self-catering options and campsites. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

The Slipway

The Slipway, overlooking the sea front is a Terraced Bar & Restaurant with a B&B above, in the centre of Port Isaac.

Beaver Cottages

2 dog friendly self catering cottages (sleeping up to 4 and 6) with enclosed gardens, close to SWCP, Tintagel and Trebarwith Strand beach. 0.25 miles from Coast Path. WiFi and car parking available. Also offering one night stays for walkers.

Cabin Beaver

A beautiful sheperd's hut located 2 fields from the SWCP. Containing a double bed, kitchenette, patio & a separate bathroom/utility/laundry.

Tom's Cottage Cornwall

Idyllic rural cottage perfect to explore the Boscastle to Padstow coast. Woodburner, private parking/garden/EV charger. Highlights: Port Isaac, Tintagel Castle & Polzeath

Dolphins Backpackers

We are a friendly, comfortable, affordable backpackers hostel with 10 person dorm. Bar & Kitchen available. Minutes from the Path. Call or Text WhatsApp

Bosayne Guest House

Bosayne B&B in legendary Tintagel, offers 8-guest bedrooms, a self-catering cottage and is only 300 metres from the sea. A warm welcome awaits guests in our comfortable home.

Home By The Sea

No frills accommodation - but comfortable warm welcome, allowing people to walk the path and explore port Isaac on a budget. Call 07814 370650/07837 849009 or email [email protected] for walkers rates

Seascape Hideaways at Port Isaac

Perched above Port Isaac harbour, The Fo’C’sle is an enchanting Grade II listed fisherman’s cottage hugging the headland to the SWCP and this beautiful stretch of coast.

Little Clifden Campsite

Basic facilities with amazing views on Cornish Dairy Farm.

Chandlers Lodge B&B

A fresh, modern and cosy B&B situated in the Heart of North Cornwall. The perfect base for exploring! Supper available.

You'll be spoilt for choice for where to eat and drink along the Path. With lots of local seasonal food on offer, fresh from the farm, field and waters. Try our local ales, ciders, wines and spirits, increasing in variety by the year, as you sit in a cosy pub, fine dining restaurant or chilled café on the beach. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Vega - Feed Your Soul

Vegan cafe serving hearty, healthy, homemade food. Fully licensed & dog friendly. 5 minutes walk from the coast path. Open for lunch/dinner Easter til end October.

The Golden Lion

In in the heart of Port Issac we are a traditional pub with beautiful sea views. With open fires and terraces, we have the perfect spot to sit, eat and drink anytime of the year

What is on your list of things to do when you visit the Path? From walking companies, to help you tailor your visit, with itineraries and experts to enhance your visit, to baggage transfer companies and visitor attractions there are lots to people and places to help you decide what you'd like to do. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Tintagel Visitor Centre

All the information you need about where to stay, eat and drink and visit in the Tintagel area.

Interactive Elevation

Highlights

  • Tintagel Church of St Materiana’s with its Norman font and windows and a Roman milestone situated in the south transept.
  • Standing on Glebe Cliff: thought to be the site of a royal cemetery which served the dynasty of Tintagel headland.
  • Stunning Trebarwith Sands.
  • Climbing from sea level to the top of Dennis Point (300ft, 90m), taking in the views and preparing to climb back down to sea level again on the other side!
  • The remains of slate quarry buildings and donkey tracks around Backway’s Cove, now a haven for butterflies and coastal flowers.
  • Birdwatching on Bounds Cliff (420ft). This is a good place to spot peregrines and nesting guillemots and kittewakes in the summer.
  • The cob walled fishing cellars of Port Gaverne, which once handled 1.5 million fish a week.
  • Exploring the beautiful fishing village of Port Isaac, with its network of alleyways, including one especially narrow one called ‘Squeeze-ee-belly’. This unspoilt village has frequently been used as a TV and film set and can be seen in Doc Martin, Poldark and Saving Grace.

Shorter option

You could stop in Port Gaverne, just before Port Isaac (8.3 miles, 13.4 km).

Longer option

Once past Port Isaac there is very little accommodation close to the Path until you reach Polzeath (8.9 miles, 14.3 km) further on.

Public transport

The nearest train station is Bodmin parkway. From here you can catch a bus to Wadebridge, where you change for buses onto Port Isaac and Tintagel - the bus journey will take about 2 hours. For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the bus stops, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

Parking

Tintagel (Postcode for Sat Navs: PL34 0DB), inland from Trebarwith Strand, Port Gaverne and Port Isaac.

close
close

Walk Finder

Find...

Postcode, placename or click the icon to use current location

Click/hold and drag the map to set the centre point of your search location under the red crosshair

from this location

Difficulty

Length (miles)

Themes

close

Find somewhere to Eat & Drink, Sleep or Do

Find...

Postcode, placename or click the icon to use current location

Click/hold and drag the map to set the centre point of your search location under the red crosshair

from this location
close

Interactive Map