South West Coast Path - Falmouth to Plymouth Map and Itinerary

Arrive in Falmouth

Below you will find a detailed description based on our 7 Day & 8 Night Itinerary. Your first overnight will be in Falmouth where its worth arriving early to explore the bustling seaside town. Plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants line the streets and there are many local beaches near the town for a relaxing stroll. It is a 5 and a half hour train ride from London to Falmouth which does involve a change in Truro. Alternatively you can fly to Newquay where you can take the bus (2hrs) which involves a couple of changes.

Falmouth to Portloe - 14 m (22km)

After your first night in Falmouth, you start todays adventure by taking 2 small passenger ferries, firstly across to St Mawes and then to Place where the walk starts its route to Portloe. Its worth having a look around St Mawes with its wonderful clover leaf design Castle which was built by Henry VIII. From Place you follow the trail around St Anthony's Peninsular passing the coastal church and prominent lighthouse. Sandy beaches and small valleys bring you round to Portscatho which is an ideal resting point and lunch spot. From here the path follows low cliffs and quiet bays past Veryan Castle to Nare Head where you can see fantastic views across to Veryan Bay. Passing more coves the trail ends up reaching the tiny harbour at Potloe fronted by jagged black rocks and an unspoilt harbour.

Portloe to Mevagissey - 12 m (19km)

From Portloe, todays walk starts off by passing West and East Portholland which are both small isolated hamlets, each with only a scatter of houses. Porthluney beach is a great resting point today with its fabulous beach and a well earned rest from the cliff walking. Caerhays Castle stands behind the bay which is worth having a look at and especially its glorious gardens. The path continues along and climbs up to Dodman Point where the views are spectacular both back to Lizard and onward. Following on, Gorran Haven is a nice resting point and soon you reach Mevagissey, a working fishing village with a busy harbour, narrow backstreets and quaint shops.

Mevagissey to Charlestown - 8 miles (13km)

Leaving the harbour today you head up to Penare Point passing many overgrown ruins and leading up to the small harbour at Pentewan, The village is worth a visit with a nice pub and a café. Following on past the golden sands you head up past Gamas Point and uphill to the rugged Black Head where the Iron Age Castle used to sit proudly on the cliff top. The path heads back down to the coastline and then takes an inland turn towards the back of St Austells bay. You end up in Charlestown with its tall ships and very interesting visitors centre.

Charlestown to Fowey - 10 m (16km)

From Charlestown the path heads round St Austell’s Bay and crosses the wide and spacious Par Sands before entering the wild and remote area at Gribbin Head. A fabulous viewpoint marked with a candy striped daymark tower stands 84 feet above the cliffs. The Daphne Du Marier coastline follows where much of her novels were written and inspiration sought. At Polridmouth a hidden beach opens to reveal the boathouse where the author lived for years. The path into Fowey passes many coves and then you pass St Catherine’s Castle perched on the coastline. Wander through the remains before you finally reach the village of Fowey with its many bars, restaurants and natural harbour.

Fowey to Looe - 13 m (21km)

Today you start off by catching a small passenger ferry across to Polruan. Its quite a steep start to the walk today heading up to the cliff tops but you will be rewarded with some fabulous views. The route today is very remote and wild with plenty of cliff top walking on route to Looe. Head down to the unspoilt beach of Lantic Bay with its turquoise sea. Polperro is a great stop for a refreshment en route and after here the walking becomes a little easier through the pretty village of Talland Bay. The final section to Looe is along the seawall with some fantastic views across to St Georges Island.

Looe to Portwrinkle - 9 m (14.5km)

The walk from Looe to Portwrinkle starts by passing the holiday parks at Millendreath and then the path climbs up to Bodigga Cliff. Some lovely woodland walking up on the cliffs follows until you head down to Seaton Beach where there is a lovely little beach café to take a well deserved rest. You head through Downderry and if the tide is out you can walk along the beach. A zig zagged path leads up to Batten Heights which is the highest point on the whole cornwall coast at 461ft. The path continues around Whitesands Bay to finish the days walk in the pretty fishing village of Portwrinkle.

Portwrinkle to Plymouth - 12m (19km)

This last day to Plymouth is a varied day of woodland, cliff tops and beach walking. The path passes behind Tregantle Fort which was originally built to protect Plymouth from the sea and then heads along the top of Long Sands beach. The view point at Rame Head is a highlight where the views are wonderful. From here you head around and up to Cawsand and Kingsand Bay which are both great lunch stops. Woodland walking follows through Mount Edgecumbe County park and then on to Cremyll where you take the ferry across to Plymouth. The last couple of miles of the walk follow the warterfront walkway to Plymouth Hoe where your accommodation is booked for your final night.

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