Cornwall: Padstow to St Michael's Mount

Padstow is a charming and bustling harbour town and is your base for the next two nights. The town has a dramatic setting at the head of the Camel River Estuary and is surrounded by natural beauty. It is also famous for its association with Rick Stein, the celebrity chef!

Once you’ve checked in, fire up the Macs Adventure Pocket Guide to Padstow on the Macs App to uncover all of Padstow’s hot spots. Grab a hearty pub meal with a pint, or go full indulgence at one of Rick Stein’s restaurants: The Seafood Restaurant, St Petroc’s Bistro, Rick Stein’s Café, or Stein’s Fish & Chips.

Today’s trail teeters along the cliff-tops towards Pentire Head and "The Rumps", looping back round to Polzeath and following your footsteps back to Padstow. The walk starts on the Macs App after a short ferry ride across the estuary to Rock, which takes its name from the Blue Elvan rock, which is quarried nearby. Whilst perhaps no longer in its glory days, the village was named “Britain’s Saint Tropez” many years ago due to its popularity as a holiday destination for the rich and famous, including Prince Harry, the Rothschilds and the actor Hugh Grant.

However, it is the cliff-top sections at Pentire Head and "The Rumps" that really make this hike special; the path traces the jagged outline of the coast, with every twist and turn to reveal yet another picturesque Cornish view. Islands protrude from the sea, swallowed by a vast expanse of blue. Secluded bays and inlets of sapphire-clear water lay hidden below the cliffs from all but the most observant. Rock columns and cliff arches lay a testament to the power of the sea.

Ascent: +210m (+690ft) / Descent: -190m (-625ft)

Alternatively, you can opt to skip the section around Pentire Head and simply spend the day at Polzeath Beach.

Today’s walk takes you along the South West Coast Path to Harlyn Bay. Begin by walking alongside the Camel Estuary before coming out onto the coast. Wander past the golden sands of Trevone Bay and make your way to the broad beaches of Harlyn Bay. The walk has plenty of epic coastal views and enough wildlife to keep your binoculars busy—or your camera finger twitching!

At the end of today's walk, you will find yourself at the PIG Hotel in Harlyn Bay. This unique hotel welcomes you with its beautifully restored 15th-century house, cosy rooms, a kitchen-garden restaurant, and relaxed seafood dining at the Lobster Shed—an ideal spot to unwind after your walk.

Ascent: +230m (+755ft) / Descent: -240m (-790ft)

Today's walk is a 5.5-mile (9km) loop around Trevose Head, a famous headland with expansive views of Constantine Bay, Booby’s Bay, and the lighthouse at the tip. The route follows well-trodden cliff paths and stretches of sandy beach, passing slopes dotted with wildflowers and seabird nesting sites, before looping back inland through quiet lanes and farmland. Alternatively, feel like swapping hiking boots for a fluffy robe? Go ahead—we won’t judge you! Why not treat yourself to a morning spa session at the PIG Hotel and start the day at your own pace?

After the walk (or massage), an afternoon transfer will take you to St Mawes to continue your adventure.

Ascent: +140m (+460ft) / Descent: -145m (-475ft)

Board a local ferry from St Mawes up the beautiful Fal Estuary to Trelissick Gardens. Explore this wonderful estate run by the National Trust, which has tranquil and varied flowers and an outstanding collection of tender and exotic plants. Afterwards, board another ferry for a very short journey across the estuary to Philleigh and begin your walk down the Roseland Peninsula, at times inland and at times alongside the estuary. Walk via the lovely village of St Just-in-Roseland, where there is an exquisite 13th-century church with its famed gardens. Paths lead you past flower beds of rhododendrons, magnolias, camellias, azaleas, bamboos, wild garlic and bluebells.

There is no escaping Cornwall’s coastline, which is beautiful and dramatic, and a whole host of other adjectives, but the interior countryside is often overlooked; today’s walk remedies that, starting in the wooded grounds of an old country estate where grand, gnarled trees grow beside dainty and colourful wildflowers.

Ascent: +175m (+575ft) / Descent: -205m (-675ft)

If you do not wish to visit the gardens or if the Tresslick ferry is not running, we provide a shorter loop walk around St Mawes and the Roseland peninsula instead.

After a transfer in the morning, you will be dropped off at Charlestown Harbour, the backdrop of the popular Poldark television drama. The historic tall boats, cannons, rowing boats, and chutes extending from the wall, poised to load, waiting for ships, all paint an image of how the harbour may have looked in a bygone era. The nearby Shipwreck Centre builds on this by telling stories of triumph and tragedy on the high seas.

This is the most challenging walk of the tour, but you are rewarded with vast sandy beaches, dramatic clifftops, secluded coves and castle ruins as you walk along this section of the South West Coast Path to Fowey itself. Many of the locations between Polkerris and Fowey were well-loved by English author Daphne Du Maurier and provided inspiration for many of her novels. Whilst completely safe, this walk does require a head for heights, as there are sections along the unfenced cliff line.

Ascent: +515m (+1690ft) / Descent: -525m (-1725ft)

Alternatively, if today’s walk feels a little too challenging for you, we can arrange your morning taxi transfer to drop you off at Par (further along the coast), cutting the walk by 3 miles and more than halving the ascent and descent. Another option is to be dropped off at the world-famous Eden Project in St Austell. This extraordinary attraction features massive biomes that recreate lush rainforest environments, home to thousands of rare plants and exotic species. It’s one of England’s top sights and a truly unforgettable experience.

Please note: The entry fee to The Eden Project is not included in your trip cost—you must book it independently. Also, if you choose to visit the Eden Project, you will have to make your own way back to your accommodation in Fowey via taxi (paid locally) or public transport (Around a 20-30 minute journey).

Today you have a choice of two walks. If you did the Charlestown to Fowey walk the previous day, we recommend doing the slightly shorter walk that goes east of Fowey around the wooded creeks and coves of Bodinnick. This walk has some inspiring sights all year round, but especially in the spring when the heathland above the turquoise waters is bright with gorse and wildflowers and the hedges are decked in primroses and violets. Great in the autumn too, when the leaves start to turn, and heather adds its colour to the heathland.

Alternatively, if you opted to visit the Eden Project on the previous day, we recommend the loop walk that takes you south along the coast towards Gribben Head and past Readymoney Cove and Polridmouth, where Daphne du Maurier lived in Point Neptune and Menabilly, respectively. Then make your way back to Fowey along The Saint’s Way, way-marked with Celtic crosses. Whilst completely safe, this walk does require a head for heights, as there are sections along the unfenced cliff line.

In the afternoon on your penultimate day, why not indulge in a cream tea at the Fowey Hotel just as Daphne du Maurier did when she lived here?

Bodinnick Creeks and Coves Loop Walk (5.5 miles / 8.5km) - Ascent: +250m (+820ft) / Descent: -250m (-820ft)

Walk in the footsteps of Daphne du Maurier (9.5 miles / 15.5km) - Ascent: +285m (+935ft) / Descent: -285m (-935ft)

An included transfer brings you to Par train station (the primary connecting station to London), from where you can catch a train to London.

Alternatively, if you would like to book an extra night, the Eden Project is only a 30-minute car/bus journey away from Fowey and is accessible by Taxi or public transport. We also have many fantastic tours that let you see the popular southern tip of Cornwall. Talk to our Adventure specialists if you'd like to know more!