Circular walks along Cornwall’s coast path around Falmouth and Helford
The rugged coastline of Cornwall has long captured the hearts of wanderers, and with the upcoming release of The Salt Path film based on Raynor Winn’s powerful memoir of resilience and survival along the South West Coast Path. Cornwall’s walking trails offer something truly special. A chance to disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with nature’s raw beauty. While Raynor Winn’s path was one of hardship, loss, and renewal, her story shines a light on the way landscapes can help us find stillness and perspective, even in the most uncertain times. These coastal paths may not carry the same weight, but they still provide space for reflection and wellbeing.
Crafted with Cornish Explorers
Coastal walks in Falmouth and Helford
To help our guests experience the very best of Falmouth’s walking opportunities, we’ve partnered with Kate from Cornish Explorers, who brings heaps of local knowledge and passion for the area’s flora and fauna.
Last Summer, our team joined Kate for a rejuvenating wellness walk from our office in Mawnan Smith, winding through the enchanting Carwinion Woods to the pristine shores of Porth Saxon Beach, then returning via Bosveal and the footpath by Mawnan allotments. Getting out and surrounding ourselves with nature was just what we needed after a busy day in the office.
Kate’s expertise transforms an ordinary walk into an extraordinary journey of discovery. Her intimate knowledge of the area’s history, wildlife, and secret spots ensures that every step reveals something new about this remarkable landscape.
Three Spectacular Circular Walks from our Holiday Cottages in Cornwall
From Falmouth’s seafront to Constantine’s wild woodland
Falmouth’s Secret Sea Front Walk
Total distance: 8.5 km
Gentle pace: > 3 hours 30 mins
Beginning at the heart of Falmouth’s seafront at Gyllyngvase Beach, this spectacular circular journey reveals the town’s best-kept secrets while navigating sandy beaches, exotic gardens, and hidden woodland tracks around Pendennis Point.
This walk entirely encapsulates Falmouth’s character, from the bustling energy of its main beach to the Tudor fortress of Little Dennis—one of the oldest buildings in Falmouth, constructed nearly 500 years ago. The route takes you through Fox Rosehill Gardens, possibly the UK’s first sub-tropical garden, established by the Fox shipping family who brought exotic plants from their worldwide travels.
The industrial heritage comes alive at Falmouth Docks, where around seventeen businesses still operate today, though few know that a 17th-century tide mill lies sealed beneath the modern Port Pendennis development. As you round Pendennis Point, panoramic views unfold across Carrick Roads, The Roseland, and Falmouth Bay—vistas that have inspired artists and writers for generations.
Ideal for: Those seeking a blend of natural beauty, maritime history, and gentle coastal walking with stunning sea views throughout.
Where to Stay:
The Boathouse
Views along the way
The North Helford Walk
Total distance: 10 km
Gentle pace: > 4 hours 15 mins
This route embraces the well-trodden coast path leading into the mouth of the legendary Helford River, guiding you through peaceful woodlands filled with birdsong, enchanting glebe lands, and lush green fields overlooking the river’s winding creeks.
Starting from Bosveal National Trust Car Park, the walk winds through Mawnan Smith—a village named after four blacksmiths’ “smithies” who served local farms for over a century. Today, The Mawnan Anvil Trust maintains a working forge with resident artisan blacksmiths, keeping traditional crafts alive. It’s also where you’ll find our office and friendly holiday cottage team, right in The Square. Pop in to say hello – and while you’re here, treat yourself to a coffee and one of Elisha’s delicious seasonal cakes from Awna café.
The mysterious Mawnan Glebe provides one of the walk’s most atmospheric moments. This steep woodland beneath the 13th-century Mawnan Church creates an otherworldly experience among ancient holm oaks, and local folklore tells of the Owlman—a protective spirit with an owl’s head and human body who guards this sacred space.
The route’s coastal section reveals hidden delights like Bream Cove’s shingle beach and interesting rocky reef structures, while the finish at Durgan Beach offers postcard-perfect views. If you have time, we highly recommend visiting nearby Trebah and Glendurgan Gardens, created by the Fox family in the 1830s.
Ideal for: Walkers seeking variety in terrain, from woodland paths to coastal views, with rich historical connections and a touch of Cornish mystery.
Where to Stay:
Trevone
Views along the way
Constantine’s Woods & Scott’s Quay
Total distance: 6.8 km
Gentle pace: > 2 hours 50 mins
This charming walk guides you through diverse woodland habitats alongside descending valley streams to a fascinating old industrial quay, where you can stand on the banks of Polwheveral Creek and imagine the merchant ships of yesteryear. It is now a tranquil place to sit and watch the birds glide across the water.
Constantine village, at the heart of the Helford Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, celebrates its patron Saint Constantine each March—one of the few Celtic saints who was actually Cornish. The village maintains a thriving community with its own successful theatre and numerous active groups.
The walk’s highlight is Scott’s Quay, constructed in the early 1800s by wealthy landowner Charles Scott, who planted the surrounding woods and built the quay to export minerals and stone via merchant schooners. This preserved piece of industrial archaeology tells the story of Cornwall’s maritime trading past.
Bosahan Woods provides a peaceful finale to the walk. Now gifted to the community and owned by Constantine Enterprises Company—the village’s own charity—these woods host a local forest school and offer a sanctuary of birdsong and flowing water where ancient traditions of woodland management continue.
Ideal for: Those interested in Cornish heritage, village life, and woodland walking with opportunities for wildlife spotting and photography.
Where to Stay:
Gwel-an-Dowr
Places to stay along the South West Coast Path
The Power of Walking
Raynor Winn’s journey along the South West Coast Path was life-changing in ways she never could have predicted—driven by necessity, yet deeply moving. While our suggested walks begin from a place of comfort and choice, they still offer moments of clarity, a renewed connection to the land, and the grounding rhythm of putting one foot in front of the other.
Whether you choose the coastal community of the Falmouth route, the diverse terrain and folklore of the North Helford Circular, or the magical woodland and heritage of Constantine’s walk, each path offers its own quiet kind of magic.
Planning Your Walking Adventure
All three routes are accessible from one or two of our holiday cottages and can be enjoyed at your own pace or enhanced with Kate’s expert guidance through Cornish Explorers. Each walk includes detailed way markers and route descriptions, but we always recommend carrying water, weather protection, and following the ‘Leave No Trace’ principles to preserve these beautiful landscapes for future walkers.
As The Salt Path reminds us, walking can be both a lifeline and a liberation. The sea glistens, the salt air lifts your spirits. With the promise of a grassy hill to rest on and a delicious packed lunch in hand, coastal walking contains all the elements of the simple life.
The coast path calls, the woodlands whisper, and the ancient villages wait to share their stories. All that’s left is to take that first step. Explore our cottages near the South West Coast Path.
