Walk - Newquay to Perranporth

12.6 miles (20.2 km)

Newquay Perranporth

Challenging - Moderate to strenuous

After leaving Newquay harbour, keeping a lookout for the Kittiwake colony on the cliffs out to Towan Head, the Path crosses the famous Fistral Beach. The route across the River Gannel varies depending on the season, tide and weather conditions and therefore you will need to plan ahead. Either way there is plenty to see, including beautiful salt marsh plants and many species of wading birds enjoying the worms and crabs.

The West Pentire headland is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its breathtaking seasonal wildflowers such as the June poppies and corn marigold flowers in the arable fields overlooking Crantock Beach.

Fantastic views of the seabirds around the offshore twin pyramids of Carter’s Rocks await around the next headland as you approach the dunes of Holywell and Perran Sands. Walking across the dunes can be quite tiring, but if the tide is right out you can walk to Perranporth across the beach.

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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.

Trevornick Holiday Park

Trevornick offers a range of 5* accommodation from camping to luxury lodges, onsite restaurant/cafe and bar, entertainment, golf courses, fishing, swimming pool and more.

Crossroads Campsite

Crossroads Campsite is a friendly, quiet, small site to camp or tour in the South West of England and ideal to just get a away from it all..

Droskyn Lookout

Droskyn Lookout is an up and coming vibrant youth hostel, cafe & wellness centre. Spectacular views and located right on the Coast Path

The Esplanade Hotel

Beach front Hotel ideal for couples and families, including sea view restaurant, pool and sauna and access to surf lessons on famous Fistral Beach.

Fistral Beach Hotel

Overlooking Newquay’s iconic Fistral Beach, exclusively for adults. The contemporary beachfront hotel is a much-loved destination for coastal getaways, wild Cornish adventures and romantic breaks. Includes spa facilities.

Just Walk Cornwall

We offer centre-based, self-guided walking holidays with comfortable accommodation, ideal for couples looking to explore the South West Coast Path.

Breakwater Hostel

A budget friendly hostel, located a stones throw from the SWCP, with a range of private and shared rooms, perfect for a clean and comfortable stay.

Geckos Rest Bed & Breakfast

Stay a 5 minute walk from the path, town, beaches & bus station of Newquay. Enjoy comfy ensuite rooms and hearty breakfasts, we can also provide a packed breakfast.

Driftwood Spars

Brewpub & B&B by the sea in Trevaunance Cove, St Agnes. Enjoy Cornish ales, homemade food, barista coffee & friendly service in a true coastal pub setting.

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.

Bowgie Inn

With unrivalled sea views, lots of seating inside & out, Bowgie Inn sits directly on the path and in the perfect place to explore all year round!

Load-A Waffle

Loaded sweet waffles, breakfast baps, coffees, pastries & whippy ice creams at the street food market at The Boathouse.

Fort Inn

Family friendly pub on fringe of bustling Newquay .

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.

Visit Newquay Tourist Information Centre

Based in Newquay Library, need help planning your day, organising a journey home, or looking for a Cornish adventure? Mon–Sat 9–5pm. Left luggage service. Wheelchair hire. Bus routes & National Express tickets. Free maps, guides & leaflets. Happy to help

Koru Kayaking - St Agnes

Koru Kayaking offer 2 hour stunning guided Kayak Adventures along the St Agnes Coastline & Helford River and creeks. Tandem sit on top kayaks. All equipment provided.

St Agnes Taxis

30 years' experience of transferring walkers across the North Coast of Cornwall. Travel in comfort to or from the start or end of your walk. Luggage transfer service available. 4 - 8 seater available.

NCI St Agnes Head

NCI St Agnes Head is situated on the coastal path between Trevaunance Cove snd Chapel Porth It is the Eyes of the coast looking out for vulnerable people and vessels on t

Huer's Hut, Newquay. Photographer Mike Mayor

Huers hut, Newquay. Photographer Amanda Brooks, Cornwall.

The Island, Towan Beach, Newquay. Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton

Isolation Photographer Chris Lewis (2012 Photo Competition entry)

Newquay harbour. Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton.

The Gannel Estuary Photographer Sue Searle (2012 Photo Competition entry)

Fistral Beach Photographer Steve Rumming (2013 Photo Competition entry)

Holywell Bay Photographer Daryl Hutchinson

Towan Head. Photographer Mike Mayor

Looking down on Perran Bay. Photographer Jan Peddie, Wirral.

Perran Sands Photographer Norman Price (2013 Photo Competition entry)

Sun setting over the golden dunes at Crantock bay. Photographer Kyle Harman, Bowling Green.

Treago Farm mapboard

Hoblyn's Cove. Photographer Mike Mayor

Towards Towan Head (Newquay) Photographer Andrew Ray (2012 Photo Competition entry)

WINTER AT HOLYWELL BAY. Photographer John Ray, Cornwall.

Pentire Point East. Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton.

Photographer kevin harris (2012 Photo Competition entry)

Polly Joke Sunset Photographer Kingsley Scott (2012 Photo Competition entry)

Wild flowers on the cliffs at Polly Joke. Photographer Andrew Trenoweth, Cornwall.

Crantock Beach, looking towards Newquay. Photographer: Nick Cockman, Warwick

The Gannel. Photographer Mike Mayor

Crossing point over the Gannel. Photographer Mike Mayor.

West Pentire looking towards East Pentire and The Goose. Photographer Liz Osbourne, Wembury.

Huer's Hut, Newquay. Photographer Mike Mayor

West Pentire Head Lane Sunset Photographer Kingsley Scott (2013 Photo Competition entry)

Perranporth beach Cornwall Photographer Paul Barlow (2012 Photo Competition entry)

Perranporth Bay Photographer Paul Shepherd

Clouds over Perranpoth Photographer Andrew Ray (2012 Photo Competition entry)

Rainbow over Holywell Bay. Photographer Catherine Illsley.

Step out carefully. Taken at Perranporth. Photographer Lyn Wells, Bridport.

Snail Trail, Holywell Bay to Porth Joke. Photographer: Elizabeth Hayes

Early Morning, Perranporth Beach, Perranporth, Cornwall. Photographer Andrew Ray, Cornwall.

Thrift at Polly Joke Photographer Andrew Ray (2012 Photo Competition entry)

Early Morning, Perranporth Beach, Perranporth, Cornwall. Photographer Andrew Ray, Cornwall.

Polly Joke Beach, Cornwall Photographer Chris Parker (2012 Photo Competition entry)

An Exhilerating Hike up the Coast Path at Crantock Bay. Photographer Lorraine Mitchell, London.

Fistral Beach. Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton.

View from W Pentire coastal path Photographer Miss Linda Fennerr (2012 Photo Competition entry)

Perranporth Sunset Photographer Kingsley Scott (2012 Photo Competition entry)

Porth Joke. Photographer Dave Harris, Kent.

Looking down at Newquay Quay. Photographer Jan Peddie, Wirral.

Sunset at Fistral Beach. Photographer Eleanor Rayner, Iver Heath.

Surf at Perranporth Beach Photographer Amanda Willis (2012 Photo Competition entry)

Perranporth Sundial, North Cornwall. Photographer Ted Forman

Millenium Sundial , Perranporth. Photographer Terry Hawkes, High Wycombe.

Perran Sands & Beach Reflection Photographer Roy Curtis (2012 Photo Competition entry)

St Pirans Cross on the dunes above Perranporth, Cornwall. Photographer Sue Thomas, Emsworth.

Crantock Beach nr Newquay at sunset from the sand dunes. Photographer Nick Cockman, Warwick

Crantock,Cornwall Photographer Steve Rumming (2013 Photo Competition entry)

The Gannel Estuary from Pentire, Newquay. Photographer Ray and Dot Culmer, Bournemouth

Crossing point over The Gannel. Photographer Mike Mayor

A crossing point for the River Gannel, available only at low tide. Photographer John Bishop, Bedfordshire.

Guarding the lobster pots on Newquay Pier. Photographer Christopher Gray, London.

Admiring the landscape through the lookout shelter on Towan Head, Newquay. Photographer Louise Scott, Wigton.

Taking a break from the path at Fistral Bay. Photographer Andy Cuthbert, Peterborough.

Only the lifeguards brave the weather at Perran Beach. Photographer Andy Cuthbert, Peterborough.

Interactive Elevation

Newquay Coastal Erosion - February 2026 - The path near North Pier in Newquay is closed and diverted after a landslip. More details.

Highlights

The tiny white Huer’s hut overlooking Newquay Bay. The Huer was a lookout who had the important job of alerting the fishermen when shoals of pilchards were spotted in the bay.
Crossing the River Gannel: you have a number of options including taking the summer ferry, using one of the tidal bridges southeast of Pentire or following the main road and taking the alternative route through Trevemper.
The birds who enjoy the sandy haven of the Gannel Estuary. Thousands of birds travel here to find winter shelter, including ringed plover, greenshank, dunlin, curlew and teal.
Crantock Beach backed by a grassy plateau called Rushy Green.
Fantastic views from Pentire Point west. This area is owned by the National Trust who are keen to encourage wild flowers and grasses.
The hidden beach of Porth Joke.
Holywell Beach dunes, home to hundreds of different insects. You may also see dolphins from here.
Penhale Point with Iron Age defences still visible. Fantastic views here stretch to St Agnes Head, Godrevy Point and St Ives beyond.
Looking south from Ligger Point over the 2 mile stretch of golden sands of Perran Beach.
The view across the sands of Perran Beach from Droskyn Point with its natural rock arch. This is a good place to watch the surfers of Perranporth.
The Millennium sundial located on the point of the Droskyn mine overlooking Perren Bay. The dial shows ‘Cornish times’ which are 20 minutes behind GMT.

Shorter option

Holywell (8.1 miles, 13 km).

Longer option

Walk to St Agnes (an additional 5.5 miles, 8.9 km to St Agnes Head).

Public transport

The easiest way to reach Newquay is by train, from where you can catch a bus to Perranporth. For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the train station and bus stop symbols, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

Parking

Newquay (Postcode for Sat Navs: TR7 1PF), Towan Head, Fistral Beach, Pentire, West Pentire, Holywell and Perranporth.

Section 17: Newquay to Perranporth

Starts 190 miles (307 km) from Minehead

Ends 429 miles (691 km) to Poole

Previous section in South West Coast Path Porthcothan to Newquay

Next section in South West Coast Path Perranporth to Portreath

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